THE UK's used car market declined by 8.5 per cent in 2022, down to 6,890,777 transactions, according to the latest figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

The performance saw 640,179 fewer vehicles changing hands than in 2021, and remains 13.2 per cent off 2019's pre-pandemic total, as the squeeze on new car supply - primarily due to the global shortage of semiconductors - restricted stock entering the second-hand market.

Transactions increased by 0.8 per cent in December in the first monthly rise since February, and while the fourth quarter of the year was down 4.3 per cent.

This reflects the renewed growth seen in the new car market, helping more vehicles enter used car stock.

Used battery electric vehicle transactions bucked the overall trend, recording their best-ever annual performance with a record 71,071 units finding new owners in 2022, a rise of 37.5 per cent, and boosting their overall market share to 1.0 per cent, from 0.7 per cent in 2021.

High demand for other alternatively fuelled vehicles continued, too, with sales of hybrid electric vehicles rising 8.6 per cent and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle transactions up 3.6 per cent

Combined, however, electrified vehicles represented just 4.1 per cent of the market (up from 3.3 per cent in 2021) and while transactions of used diesel and petrol cars fell by 11.8 per cent and 7.7 per cent respectively, they remained the dominant powertrains with a combined 6,594,880 units changing hands.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive,said: "While the market headlines are negative, and reflective of the squeeze on new car supply last year, record electrified vehicle uptake is a bright spot and demonstrates a growing appetite for these models.

"With new car registrations growth expected this year, more of the latest low and zero emission models should become available to second owners. Accelerating uptake is key and will be dependent on drivers being assured of a positive ownership experience. This means ensuring charging infrastructure keeps pace with demand as more new and used car buyers make the switch to zero emission motoring than ever before."

Used car buyers went back to black as it proved to be the most popular colour for the year, accounting for a fifth (21.6 per cent) of the market.

Blue ranked second, with 16.4 per cent share, and, despite grey topping the new car market, it ranked third for used cars at 16.3 per cent market share.

Some buyers opted to add a splash of colour to their journeys, with 4,461 pink, 6,708 turquoise and 18,658 bronze used vehicle transactions during the year.

In terms of market segments, all sectors saw transactions decline aside from dual purpose, which was the third most popular body type, recording a small growth of 0.8 per cent as just over a million changed hands.

Superminis once again took the title for most popular segment, taking a third of the market (32.3 per cent) despite recording a 9.0 per cent fall in volumes. Following behind, lower mediums were the second most popular and were responsible for 26.3 per cent of the market, but also noted a 9.6 per cent decline.

The smallest volume segment type was luxury saloons with a 0.6 per cent market share.