Demand and prices for used diesels remained strong during 2017 and continued to outweigh the petrol market, according to Autorola.

Jon Mitchell of Autorola

Despite ongoing ‘diesel demonisation’, average used diesel prices sold on the Autorola portal in the final quarter of 2017 reached £11,123 – up £294 on the third quarter despite cars being on average one month older at 31 months and having higher mileage (27,597 vs 25,573).

Over the same three-month period, petrol values fell £163 to £8,495 from Q3 – reflecting higher mileage (20,729 v 17,961) and increased age (31 vs 29 months).

Jon Mitchell, Autorola UK’s group sales director, added: “Diesel prices are already moving back up to the highs of Q1 2017 and traders who are buying from our website are satisfying consumer demand which shows motorists haven’t been phased by unfavourable press coverage over recent months.”

Overall, car prices during Q4 were relatively flat – increasing by just £92 to £9,504 from Q3, despite an increase in average mileage and age. However, prices were £521 higher than the same quarter in 2016 (£8,983).

For more of the latest industry news, click here.