Values for used Mitsubishi Outlander PHEVs have remained strong this year, despite a dip in 2017.

The Outlander is currently the most common plug-in vehicle on UK roads with more than 32,000 currently licenced with the DVLA.

SMMT figures show that sales of alternative fuel vehicles have risen by 19.5% to May, this year, and plug-in hybrids have increased by 36.2% in the same period.

The average volume of Outlander PHEV’s appearing at auction each month since the start of 2018 is 86.

With volumes at auctions remaining low, the Outlander PHEV’s performance tends to be good with trade demand remaining strong. This has led to residual values holding up well.

Becca Platt, assistant car editor at Glass’s, said: “The government grant has helped encourage the take-up of PHEV’s such as the Outlander, as cars sold that are eligible for the grant have seen an increase of 25.1% year to date. Of course another major factor of their popularity is due to the low rates of company car tax that they currently attract. With the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) on the horizon, it will be interesting to see how well PHEVs perform in the new tests.

“It is possible that the CO2 results of this new test could result in changes to the taxation on those cars effecting their future desirability.

“At Glass’s we will continue to monitor the release of CO2 data, in accordance with the new WLTP testing regime, and forecast how the results will change future second hand car values.”