Jul 29, 2025, 7:18 AM
Jul 29, 2025, 7:18 AM

UK car market forecasts record sales in 2025

Highlights
  • Auto Trader anticipates 9.75 million cars will be sold in the UK during 2025, including two million new and 7.75 million used vehicles.
  • The surge in sales is attributed to an increased demand for older, budget-friendly cars, particularly those aged five to ten years.
  • The UK car market is showing strong signs of recovery and growth after being impacted by the pandemic, highlighting resilient consumer demand.
Story

The UK car market is poised for significant growth, as new analysis reveals expectations for the strongest sales year since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Online vehicle marketplace Auto Trader has projected that the total car sales for 2025 will reach 9.75 million units, which includes two million new cars and 7.75 million used cars. This increase represents a 3% rise compared to last year's sales figures, which stood at 9.5 million total vehicles, indicating a rebound in consumer confidence and demand. A notable trend contributing to this growth is the heightened demand for used vehicles aged five to ten years, reflecting a shift in consumer preferences towards more budget-friendly options as economic pressures persist. Auto Trader highlighted that by year-end, approximately 10.1 million of these older models will be on UK roads, a significant increase from 8.7 million in 2017. Additionally, vehicles that are at least a decade old are now expected to account for 26% of the total 32.8 million licensed cars in the UK, a slight increase from 23% in 2019. Despite these encouraging figures, the market continues to be affected by the disruptions caused by the pandemic, which has led to a scarcity of vehicles aged three to five years. This shortage has created a gap in the market, as consumers seek available alternatives. Auto Trader’s commercial director, Ian Plummer, noted that this situation reflects the resilient demand for cars despite ongoing challenges. Half a billion visits to Auto Trader's website in the first half of the year highlight a significant interest in purchasing vehicles, further cementing the prediction of robust sales. The persistent influence of the Covid-19 crisis has reshaped the landscape of the UK car market, with a long-lasting effect expected for years to come. As the market landscape continues to evolve, consumer preferences are likely to drive future changes, emphasizing the importance of budget-friendly options in vehicle purchases. With the automotive industry slowly recovering, the predicted high sales numbers for 2025 showcase a resilience and adaptability among consumers navigating the ongoing impact of the pandemic.

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