In contrast used diesel volumes slipped from 36% to 34% of the total in last year’s BCA Used Car Market Report, representing sales of 2.2 million.

Looking ahead, BCA’s research conducted for the 2011 BCA Used Car Market Report states that around 26% of UK motorists intend buying a used or nearly-new diesel next time they change, compared to 74% petrol. BCA is asking if this could have some longer term ramifications for the used market as a whole?
 
Gannon explained: “When new diesel sales represent 50% of the total, while used diesel sales represents a third of the total, it suggests an imbalance in the supply chain.

“The general rule of thumb is where fleets go consumers follow but is this happening in the case of diesel?”

He concluded: “The motivation for motorists when buying diesel has always been very clear – fuel consumption is perceived to be the major benefit, along with reliability - and this has been worth paying a premium for.

“But when you add in the on-going concerns about the cost of motoring, the trying economic conditions and an apparent shift away from diesels by private new car buyers, it is quite possible that the new generation of frugal and economic petrol engines will start to challenge diesel’s position in the years ahead.”