Dealers increased used stocks in March 2019, but sold cars faster than they did 12 months ago.
Motors.co.uk found that despite the new 19-plate, used forecourts were busy in March with dealers stocking an average of 66 cars, eight more than 12 months ago, and seeing their average days in stock fall from 41 to 39.
Petrol won the fuel race, with 52% of searches on Motors.co.uk from 50% of the total advertised stock, up from 46% last year. Petrol cars averaged 39 days to sell, the same as March 2018.
Diesel stock and view dropped, but speed of sale improved from 44 days to 40.
Dermot Kelleher, Motors.co.uk’s director of marketing and business intelligence, said: “Despite competition from the new 19-plate the used market enjoyed a strong performance in March with average days in stock down to 39 days, a welcome month-on-month and year-on-year improvement.
“The fastest used car sales were achieved by supermarkets, which averaged just 26 days, compared with the 43 days taken by independent and franchised dealers.
“March also saw a strong performance by electric cars. While used stock volumes remain low, there is clear consumer demand, with days in stock falling from 38 this time last year to just 27 days, while hybrids reduced from 41 to 38 days.”
The fastest selling car on the platform in March was the Nissan Leaf, selling in jut 21 days, followed by the Peugeot 206 (22 days) and Vauxhall Antara (22 days).