Average prices of used diesel and petrol cars sold through Autorola hit a new high in Q3, with the rise in diesel prices outstripping petrol.

Jon Mitchell of Autorola

The latest used market report for the Autorola UK online portal show that average diesel prices rose £823 (6.5%) in Q3 to £12,662 from £11,839 in Q2. A slight fall in average age and mileage from 33 months and 26,112 miles in Q2 to 31 months and 25,880 miles in Q3 helped contribute to the price rise.

Average used petrol prices increased by £596 (6%) in Q3 to £9,800 from £9,204 in Q2, the third successive quarterly price rise. This was assisted by a fall in average age and mileage to 31 months and 17,386 miles from 32 months and 18,277 miles in Q2.

The number of electric/hybrid used cars sold online reached their highest level since Q3 2017 when Autorola first recorded alternative fuel data. However, volumes remain relatively low.

Autorola added that the WLTP new car challenges are encouraging more franchised dealers to invest in their used car operations

Group sales director Jon Mitchell said: “Some car makers have gone on record how WLTP hampered their sales in September and the used market has benefited with consumers buying used cars ahead of new. Even without this September anomaly we have experienced a large demand from our 2,000 live buyers for used stock in July and August.”