Used retail sales

While new car sales in September proved difficult for many dealers, the used car market enjoyed a minor revival.

This improvement in fortunes was most notable for its polarised nature, with consumer demand governed more than usual by price and size of car.

The biggest increase in retail activity was concentrated on cars priced up to £5,000, although demand for those priced up to £10,000 was also reasonably positive.

Small and supermini cars attracted the greatest revival of interest with many lower-medium family cars also being actively sought. Upper-medium cars fared moderately well, provided the engine size was no greater than two litres.

Beyond this point the market appeared to be less certain, but the fairly severe retail price realignments that have been necessary in recent months have had the effect of making many of these cars a more tempting proposition for consumers.