The UK’s largest used car retailer, CarShop, which has a store in Ashton-under-Lyne serving customers across Greater Manchester, has revealed the results of its latest consumer buying trends survey from June 1st to August 31st, 2020, following the business’ closure between March and April due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The data shows that the number of used sports cars bought during these three months across England and Wales has skyrocketed compared to the same period last year – with a staggering increase of 82%.
The motoring experts at CarShop found that the North West, in particular, made up a considerable chunk of this total number – having seen its sales figures rise by 185% compared to last year. This was second only to the West Midlands, which saw a 200% increase on last year’s figures. In Greater Manchester, the overall increase in used sports cars sales was 113%.
CarShop also found that people in Greater Manchester spent 18% more on used sports cars during this period than they did last year, with the average spend on this type of vehicle increasing from £10,843 in 2019, to £12,740 in 2020. The most popular make of sports car in Greater Manchester it was the Audi A3 sports model.
In the Greater Manchester regions, the purchasing rate of sports cars peaked in Bury, which saw the largest increase in sales on last year’s figures compared to any other borough – at 400%. This was followed by Salford with a rise of 100%. Tameside residents, on the other hand, seemed to ditch sporty models in favour of family-friendly 4x4s, as sales of sports cars decreased by 67% in this area.
CarShop reported that the number of used 4×4 cars bought on a national scale has also seen a year-on-year increase, rising by 17% and in Greater Manchester this was an overall increase of 31%.
Locally, Greater Manchester had some of the biggest selling areas for 4x4s too, with a huge 250% more used 4×4 cars bought in Bolton compared to last year. Bolton was followed by a 65% increase in Manchester itself, a 34% increase in Tameside, a 27% increase in Trafford, 25% in Bury, 22% in Stockport and 11% increases in Oldham and Salford. The most popular 4×4 purchased in Greater Manchester was the Ford Kuga.
Paul Harnett, Head of Business at CarShop Ashton, said: “The surge in sports car sales across Greater Manchester doesn’t surprise me – in these distressing times, people are looking for something positive, fun and exciting to distract them from the current climate. Holidays are on pause, weddings and large family gatherings are postponed and people are treating themselves.’
Much like the rise in spend on sports models in the North West, Greater Manchester residents are paying more for their cars in general – with the average spend totalling £13,738 back in 2019, compared to £14,639 this year. This is an increase of 7%.
