SMMT used car transactions | Q4 2019
Auto Trader's Commercial Director, Ian Plummer, provides his view on the latest used car transactions from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)
“2019 was an incredibly turbulent year, but regardless, the used car market weathered the challenges proving just how resilient it is with 7.9 million transactions, a very stable year-on-year performance despite those headwinds.
“Following the general election and our official departure from the EU, the dust is starting to settle and the new year is looking slightly more optimistic as consumers show signs of an uplift in confidence. In January alone Auto Trader had 58 million visits – a record breaking number. And our latest consumer research shows that 59% feel more confident in being able to afford their next car than they did a year ago, indicating a positive sentiment for the year.
“To capitalise on this renewed confidence, retailers must now focus on ensuring they are stocking the right vehicles, and pricing them to the live retail market. Creating transparency to instil trust with consumers will also be key to standing out from the competition.”
