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Used Car & Light Motor Vehicle Dealers in the UK Industry Data and Analysis
The used car market is expanding as global supply chain disruptions and semiconductor shortages make new cars less available, driving up demand for second-hand vehicles. This has led to a sharp jump in second-hand vehicle prices, according to the SMMT. Dealers are adjusting stock levels, especially for popular models like Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa. There's a growing appeal for used EVs due to heightened environmental awareness. Although diesel vehicles' value has dropped, they're attracting budget-conscious buyers. Moreover, online marketplaces for used cars have changed how people buy and sell vehicles in the UK. Private owners now use sites like Auto Trader and Facebook Marketplace to advertise directly, letting buyers avoid dealers. Many car buyers research and shop online, enhancing competition and making prices more transparent. Physical dealerships need to adapt, as buyers use the internet to view large numbers of vehicles before visiting in person. Dealers now focus on offering stronger warranties and after-sales support, as many buyers will pay extra for the security of dealer protection. As a result, revenue is expected to dip at a compound annual rate of 0.3% to £23.6 billion over the five years through 2025-26. This includes estimated revenue growth of 0.6% in 2025-26.
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What's included in this industry analysis
IBISWorld's research coverage on the Used Car & Light Motor Vehicle Dealers industry in the United Kingdom includes market sizing, forecasting, data and analysis from 2016-2031. The most recent publication was released January 2026.
About this industry
What's this industry report about?
The Used Car & Light Motor Vehicle Dealers industry in the United Kingdom operates under the SIC industry code G45.112. Dealers and auctioneers in this industry sell used cars and other light motor vehicles. Vehicles sold include passenger cars, SUVs, jeeps and any other vehicles weighing less than 3.5 tonnes, including ambulances and minibuses. Related terms covered in the Used Car & Light Motor Vehicle Dealers industry in the United Kingdom include light motor vehicle, suv, afv and pre-registered cars.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in Used Car & Light Motor Vehicle Dealers industry in the United Kingdom include Mini and supermini cars, Lower medium cars and Upper medium cars.
What companies are included in this industry?
Companies covered in the Used Car & Light Motor Vehicle Dealers industry in the United Kingdom include Arnold Clark Automobiles Ltd, Lookers plc and Pinewood Technologies Group plc.
Performance
What's included in the Performance chapter?
The Performance chapter covers detailed analysis, datasets, detailed current performance, sources of volatility and an outlook with forecasts for the Used Car & Light Motor Vehicle Dealers industry in the United Kingdom.
Questions answered in this chapter include what's driving current industry performance, what influences industry volatility, how do successful businesses overcome volatility, what's driving the industry outlook. This analysis is supported with data and statistics on industry revenues, costs, profits, businesses and employees.
Products & Markets
What's included in the Products and Markets chapter?
The Products and Markets chapter covers detailed products and service segmentation and analysis of major markets for the for the Used Car & Light Motor Vehicle Dealers industry in the United Kingdom.
Questions answered in this chapter include how are the industry's products and services performing, what are innovations in industry products and services, what products or services do successful businesses offer and what's influencing demand from the industry's markets. This includes data and statistics on industry revenues by product and service segmentation and major markets.
Geographic Breakdown
What's included in the Geographic Breakdown chapter?
The Geographic Breakdown chapter covers detailed analysis and datasets on regional performance of the Used Car & Light Motor Vehicle Dealers industry in the United Kingdom.
Questions answered in this chapter include where are industry businesses located and how do businesses use location to their advantage. This includes data and statistics on industry revenues by location.
Competitive Forces
What's included in the Competitive Forces chapter?
The Competitive Forces chapter covers the concentration, barriers to entry and supplier and buyer profiles in the Used Car & Light Motor Vehicle Dealers industry in the United Kingdom. This includes data and statistics on industry market share concentration, barriers to entry, substitute products and buyer & supplier power.
Questions answered in this chapter include what impacts the industry's market share concentration, how do successful businesses handle concentration, what challenges do potential industry entrants face, how can potential entrants overcome barriers to entry, what are substitutes for industry services, how do successful businesses compete with substitutes and what power do buyers and suppliers have over the industry and how do successful businesses manage buyer & supplier power.
Companies
What's included in the Companies chapter?
The Companies chapter covers Key Takeaways, Market Share and Companies in the Used Car & Light Motor Vehicle Dealers industry in the United Kingdom. This includes data and analysis on companies operating in the industry that hold a market share greater than 5%.
Questions answered in this chapter include what companies have a meaningful market share and how each company is performing.
External Environment
What's included in the External Environment chapter?
The External Environment chapter covers Key Takeaways, External Drivers, Regulation & Policy and Assistance in the Used Car & Light Motor Vehicle Dealers industry in the United Kingdom. This includes data and statistics on factors impacting industry revenue such as economic indicators, regulation, policy and assistance programs.
Questions answered in this chapter include what demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the industry, what regulations impact the industry, what assistance is available to this industry.
Financial Benchmarks
What's included in the Financial Benchmarks chapter?
The Financial Benchmarks chapter covers Key Takeaways, Cost Structure, Financial Ratios, Valuation Multiples and Key Ratios in the Used Car & Light Motor Vehicle Dealers industry in the United Kingdom. This includes financial data and statistics on industry performance including key cost inputs, profitability, key financial ratios and enterprise value multiples.
Questions answered in this chapter include what trends impact industry costs and how financial ratios have changed overtime.
Industry Data
What's included in the Industry Data chapter?
The Industry Data chapter includes 10 years of historical data with 5 years of forecast data covering statistics like revenue, industry value add, establishments, enterprises, employment and wages in the Used Car & Light Motor Vehicle Dealers industry in the United Kingdom.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the market size of the Used Car & Light Motor Vehicle Dealers industry in the United Kingdom in 2026?
The market size of the Used Car & Light Motor Vehicle Dealers industry in the United Kingdom is £23.6bn in 2026.
How many businesses are there in the Used Car & Light Motor Vehicle Dealers industry in the United Kingdom in 2026?
There are 15,517 businesses in the Used Car & Light Motor Vehicle Dealers industry in the United Kingdom, which has grown at a CAGR of 2.7 % between 2021 and 2026.
How may import tariffs affect the Used Car & Light Motor Vehicle Dealers industry in the United Kingdom?
The Used Car & Light Motor Vehicle Dealers industry in the United Kingdom is unlikely to be materially impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Used Car & Light Motor Vehicle Dealers industry in the United Kingdom?
The Used Car & Light Motor Vehicle Dealers industry in the United Kingdom is unlikely to be materially impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
Has the Used Car & Light Motor Vehicle Dealers industry in the United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Used Car & Light Motor Vehicle Dealers industry in the United Kingdom has been declining at a CAGR of 0.3 % between 2021 and 2026.
What is the forecast growth of the Used Car & Light Motor Vehicle Dealers industry in the United Kingdom over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Used Car & Light Motor Vehicle Dealers industry in the United Kingdom is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Used Car & Light Motor Vehicle Dealers industry in the United Kingdom?
The biggest companies operating in the Used Car & Light Motor Vehicle Dealers industry in the United Kingdom are Arnold Clark Automobiles Ltd, Lookers plc and Pinewood Technologies Group plc
What does the Used Car & Light Motor Vehicle Dealers industry in the United Kingdom include?
Mini and supermini cars and Lower medium cars are part of the Used Car & Light Motor Vehicle Dealers industry in the United Kingdom.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Used Car & Light Motor Vehicle Dealers industry in the United Kingdom?
The company holding the most market share in the Used Car & Light Motor Vehicle Dealers industry in the United Kingdom is Arnold Clark Automobiles Ltd.
How competitive is the Used Car & Light Motor Vehicle Dealers industry in the United Kingdom?
The level of competition is moderate and increasing in the Used Car & Light Motor Vehicle Dealers industry in the United Kingdom.
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