THE UK could lose its position as the leading used car market in Europe to Germany in the next few years. In 1998 7.47 million used cars were sold in this country, marginally ahead of Germany, which recorded just 2,000 less in the same period.

The data is included in British Car Auctions 1999 report, 'The Used Car Market', in which the company claims the establishment of a 'thriving' vehicle auction market, spearheaded by BCA Autoauktionen, 'is stimulating the wholesale market and German used car volumes may well exceed the UK figure early on in the next millennium'. Supporting this potential growth is Germany's position as having the largest car parc in Europe, with 41.67 million cars. The UK, France and Italy trail a long way behind with about 26 million each.

And while the UK used car market continues to flourish, 'European markets could be said to be catching up fast', the report says. However, in terms of used car sales expressed in terms of population the UK retains its pole position with 126 sales per thousand people in 1997.