The average age of a car on the UK’s roads
UK drivers are holding onto their cars longer, which could be a problem for new car sales but a blessing for aftermarket companies.
Data published by industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) shows the average age of a car on UK’s roads is now 9.5 years, compared to around eight before the pandemic.
“This is a good opportunity for the aftermarket sector as the demand for parts and service increases, but maintaining the EV transition also depends on this same sector investing in the latest technology to service these new vehicles,” said Mike Hawes, Chief Executive of SMMT.
“This week’s Automechanika Birmingham showed just how vibrant the UK aftermarket is, with a wealth of technologies and innovation on display, as well as a series of targeted sessions on contemporary industry issues.”
Good news for car sales – but more needed
The UK’s new car market returned to growth in May, as registrations rose 1.6% to 150,070 units.
It was the best May performance since 2021, but still, 18.3% lower than in pre-pandemic 2019 and only the second month of growth this year, reflecting brittle consumer confidence and economic turbulence.1
Fleets and businesses drove the growth, up 3.7% and 14.4% respectively and were responsible for 62.6% of registrations, while interest from private buyers fell for the second consecutive month, down 2.3%. There were double-digit declines in deliveries of both petrol and diesel cars, down -12.5% and -15.5% – while demand for the latest electrified models increased dramatically to take a combined 47.3% market share.
Uptake of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) grew by 6.8% to 20,351 units, while plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) were up more than half (50.8%) to 17,898. Registrations of battery electric vehicles (BEVs), meanwhile, rose by 25.8%, accounting for 21.8% of the market as manufacturers continued to support sales with attractive incentives.
“Last month’s uplift was just the second monthly increase this year, while the EV market share now stands at 20.9% – significantly below the 28% mandated in 2025. What green growth there is has been propped up by manufacturers providing massive discounts on the ever-growing EV product ranges in which they’re investing,” said Hawes
Such an imbalance inevitably undermines manufacturer investment confidence and new product development, which is integral to the success of our industry, our ability to meet consumer needs and to decarbonise, he said.
“Next week’s Comprehensive Spending Review is the right moment, therefore, to double down on the commitment to Net Zero by backing the EV transition with fiscal measures that boost the market and shore up our competitiveness.”
“Halving VAT on new purchases, for example, would help put two million EVs on the road by 2030 and cut CO₂ emissions by six million tonnes per year. Removing EVs from the VED supplement, meanwhile, and equalising VAT on public charging with home rates would send a clear and decisive signal – 2025 is the time to switch.”
