The price of used diesel cars has increased despite plans to ban the sale of new diesel vehicles from 2040 to tackle air pollution, research has revealed.
A study by Auto Trader found that half of diesel owners say they will buy a similar vehicle for their next car.
A survey of 13,000 motorists showed that the appetite for diesel cars remains “strong”.
In July, the Government said it would ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2040 with the aim of reducing air pollution.
(PA Graphics)
Auto Trader said its survey, and data from the hundreds of thousands of cars for sale on its site, revealed that the average price for a used diesel car increased by 6% in August compared with a year ago.
Searches for diesel cars increased from May to August, with 55% of consumers searching for a diesel model rather than any other fuel type.
Studying more than 60,000 vehicles advertised for private sale on Auto Trader during August, the proportion of diesel adverts rose by only 0.3% year-on-year, suggesting there is no significant increase in the sale of diesel cars and that motorists are generally unmoved by the diesel debate or the Government’s 2040 announcement, said the report.
But Auto Trader said its study highlighted increased “confusion and anxiety” among motorists, with half of car buyers saying that the news on fuel types over the last year had made the car-buying process more challenging.
Nathan Coe of Auto Trader said: “This sustained debate on fuel is a by-product of a big change in the industry, as car manufacturers, who share the same goals as the Government in improving air quality, make great strides to deliver cleaner, safer and more efficient cars every day.
“It might be tempting to focus on the negatives during periods of such change, but it’s crucial that the centre of the debate focuses on clearly landing the benefits and value of this change to motorists, rather than further energising a narrative that stigmatises cars and threatens to penalise motorists.”