Supplier optimism in regards to the used automobile sector has reached a 14 month excessive, based on the brand new Startline Used Automobile Tracker.

June’s analysis exhibits that 64% say they really feel constructive in regards to the market, a pointy rise from 27% in Might and 20% in April.

The determine is the very best because the motor finance firm’s analysis was launched in April 2022.

Causes acknowledged by sellers embody a common enchancment available in the market (talked about by 49%), improved inventory provide (36%), rising client confidence (18%), higher motor finance availability (16%) and enhanced financial circumstances (11%). Simply 16% assume the market is weakening.

Paul Burgess, Startline Motor Finance chief exceutive, stated: “In our view, this upbeat view of the used automobile sector may be very a lot about sellers discovering that 2023 hasn’t turned out as badly as many feared initially of the 12 months, and that the market state of affairs is comparatively steady.

“There are some very apparent issues – the still-rapidly rising price of dwelling is casting a shadow over the financial system and taking many potential consumers out of the automobile market, inventory availability is maybe somewhat higher however nonetheless powerful and the forthcoming arrival of a lot of EVs into the used area creates a excessive diploma of uncertainty.

“Nonetheless, regardless of all of these points, most sellers are nonetheless doing fairly nicely and that central, important truth is making a typically constructive temper, helped by components reminiscent of perceived enhancements in inventory availability and client confidence.”

June’s Startline Used Automobile Tracker additionally requested sellers whether or not they anticipated inventory provide to enhance within the subsequent 12 months, with 55% agreeing this was probably. Improved new automobile manufacturing is seen as the most important driver of this development, talked about by 43%.

Nonetheless, 25% assume that inventory availability received’t enhance for a number of years, 18% that the common car they’re promoting can be older and 9% that will probably be in worse situation.

Burgess stated: “Whereas it appears unlikely that any sellers predict a flood of inventory to immediately hit the market, there’s a affordable diploma of confidence among the many majority that we’re going to see a gradual easing of the state of affairs, particularly as new automobile gross sales proceed to ramp up, bringing extra automobiles into the remarketing area.

“It’s fascinating although, that one in 4 sellers don’t foresee any enchancment within the state of affairs within the medium time period, whereas nearly one in 5 anticipate their inventory to proceed to age. These sellers clearly imagine that the present points are entrenched available in the market.”

The Startline Used Automobile Tracker is compiled month-to-month for Startline Motor Finance by APD International Analysis, well-known within the motor trade for his or her enterprise intelligence reporting and buyer expertise packages. This time, 302 customers and 59 sellers had been questioned.