Around two-thirds of dealers (62%) anticipate an improved economy to be the most significant factor in increasing used car sales in 2025, reveals January’s Startline Used Car Tracker.

The research also finds half of the dealers welcoming direct government support for buyers of used electric vehicles (EVs).

According to the study, 48% of dealers are looking for an increase in consumer confidence to drive sales.

Additionally, 38% believe that a revision of the Zero Emissions Vehicle Mandate could positively impact the market, while 36% are hoping for better stock supply.

The tracker further finds 31% of dealers seeing improved motor finance availability as a key to market growth, with 19% desiring a reduction in business overheads such as rates and staffing costs.

Moreover, 16% of dealers emphasise the need for better availability of skilled staff to support the sector.

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The Startline Used Car Tracker, compiled monthly by APD Global Research for Startline Motor Finance, gathers insights from industry professionals.

Startline Motor Finance CEO Paul Burgess said: “Pretty much every indicator showed that there was a downturn in both the general economy and consumer confidence towards the end of 2024, and that appears to have weighed heavily on these results.

“Dealers seem concerned that this negative mood could be a drag on the used car market and really want to see some form of uptick for the New Year that changes the outlook.

“Other factors mentioned in the research are perhaps unsurprising. Concern over stock availability is now really a given, as are concerns over skilled staffing and premises costs.

“The Zero Emissions Vehicle Mandate is also very much a live subject and we hope to see the current Government consultation have a positive outcome, which is something that could at least in part serve to lift market sentiment.”

APD Global Research is noted for its business intelligence reporting and customer experience programmes. The recent survey included responses from 329 consumers and 58 dealers.