Car sales slip for the tenth month in a row

The total number of sales of used cars last month fell by 11% compared to October, meaning sales in vehicles contracted for a tenth month in a row.

Data published this week by the national dealership association shows that 1.7 million vehicles were sold last month, with over double the number of used cars sold compared to new vehicles.

The latest data also suggests a shortage in the number of used cars on sale, due to people holding onto new vehicles for longer. Sales of cars less than one year of age have fallen by 36.6% compared to the same time last year.