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The volume of searches for diesel vehicles on Auto Trader continued a long-term decline in May, falling below 50% of fuel-based searches for the first time.
Searches for diesel vehicles have fallen dramatically in recent years, dropping from 71% in November 2016.
Average used car prices in the UK dropped slightly in May with diesel recording a steeper decline than petrol, according to Auto Trader’s latest Retail Price Index.
The average price of a used car in May was £12,676, a year on year 7% increase. The average price of diesel vehicle on Auto Trader was £14,448 in May, a rise of 5%. The average price of a petrol vehicle was £10,733, up 9% on a year ago.
Karolina Edwards-Smajda, Auto Trader’s retailer and consumer product director, said: “What we are seeing fairly clearly now, from both search and price data on our platform, is the dwindling popularity of diesel.
“Ongoing uncertainty has rattled consumers and put them off purchasing, despite the fact that newer diesels are the most fuel-efficient, environmentally friendly and cheap option for a significant segment of motorists. We urgently need more clarity from government on the strategy and timeline for shifting to lower-emission vehicles, and how consumers will be supported along that journey.”