BLACK CARS LEADING A SECOND-HAND BOOM

THE country’s used car market grew 109 per cent in the second quarter of 2021 compared with the same period last year, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

It says that 2.1million vehicles changed hands – a figure up nearly 7 per cent even on prepandemic levels in 2019.

The Ford Fiesta was the most popular car, followed by the Vauxhall Corsa and Ford Focus.

The Volkswagen Golf, Vauxhall Astra, BMW 3 Series, Mini, Volkswagen Polo, Nissan Qashqai and Audi A3 made up the top ten.

Black proved to be the most popular car colour, followed by silver/aluminium and blue.

Mike Hawes, the society’s chief executive, says the figures show how strongly car transactions have rebounded following the nationwide lockdowns that closed dealerships.

He says: ‘More motorists are turning to used cars as supply shortages continue to impact adversely on the new car market.’