the used car market

Updated: January 2026

The used car market is one of the most commercially significant areas of the UK automotive sector. It delivers reliable volume, strong margins and sustained aftersales demand, while acting as a gateway to long-term customer relationships.
 
From first sale through ownership, servicing and eventual renewal, used vehicles sit at the centre of commercial resilience for OEMs and Dealer Groups.

As the vehicle parc ages and electrification accelerates, confidence, transparency and capability matter more than ever.

A straightforward introduction to used car sales, why they matter, and how changing customer behaviour is shaping the way they’re done today.

A look at used vehicle servicing, how the aftersales market works, and the role it plays in customer confidence and retention as vehicles stay on the road for longer.