Brits going green with used cars
Date: 10/04/2008 12:00:00
Buyers of used cars are increasingly opting for greener vehicles, a study has shown.
Research by Experian has highlighted an increase in sales of used diesel vehicles of four per cent in recent months, while sales of their petrol counterparts have fallen.
Meanwhile, last year saw significant increases in sales of used electric and hybrid cars of 473 per cent and 72 per cent respectively.
Kirk Fletcher, managing director of Experian's automotive division, said: "There has been a lot of media attention, not only around the environment and the effect of the most polluting cars, but also on the forthcoming car tax increases and the rise in fuel duty."
He added that the financial incentives seem to have had a more significant effect on the buying habits of consumers over the past few years.
Mr Fletcher went on to say that it was interesting to see that despite increased running costs and environmental concerns, sales of sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and sports cars rose last year.
Earlier this year, the firm found that sales of used SUVs were highest in the West Midlands last year, rising by 13 per cent in the third quarter.