For the first time in eight years, sales of used 4x4s fell throughout the country (down 3.4 per cent) during April to June of this year, according to the latest used car sales data released from Experian, the global information services company. And although London was the only part of the country to see a sales increase of 3.6 per cent during Q2 2008 compared with the same period last year, by June sales of used 4x4s in London started to slide, dropping by 2.3 per cent compared to June 2007.
Additionally, sales in the used mini segment in London increased by 6.6 per cent in June, while sales of used diesel cars increased by 10.1 per cent from April to June, reflecting the UK wide trend toward small and economical cars.
Kirk Fletcher, Managing Director of Experian’s Automotive division, said: “Sales of used cars in the capital did not suffer as badly as other parts of the country. However, June’s figures revealed the start of what dealers have already identified as a downward trend for the rest of the year. Up until now, used car buyers in London had remained the biggest 4×4 fans. The significant increase in the sale of used diesel cars plus rising sales in the mini segment in June highlights that Londoners are not immune to the rising costs of running a car.
