A colour-coded Used Car Fuel Economy Label was today launched by Minister for Transport Sadiq Khan.

The label provides consumers with clear at a glance information on the running costs, fuel consumption and environmental performance of used cars up to two years old.

The scheme was launched to the motor retail industry in early August and so far over 1500 dealers have signed-up with the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) to take part and display the label on cars that they sell.

The initiative builds on the success of the new car fuel economy label, which is now widely recognised by consumers.

 

The used car label is a voluntary initiative for dealers, developed by the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP) with support from the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI), the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) and the Government.

 Dealers can choose only to label cars up to two years old, or to label older cars manufactured as far back as 1st March 2001. 97% of dealers signed-up to date have said they intend to label cars dating back to 2001.

Khan said: “Running costs and environmental performance are increasingly important to new and used car buyers.

"This will give people the information they need to make the right purchase for themselves and the smart purchase for the environment. I hope as many dealers as possible will participate and I encourage used car buyers to look out for the label when they consider what to buy.”

LowCVP Managing Director Greg Archer said: “94% of dealers now display the new car label while 71% of car buyers say the label is important in informing their choice of car. The introduction of the used car label now extends this information to used car buyers.”

The used car label is also available to motor industry information providers, with HPI the first company to provide its own approved version.

RMIF director Sue Robinson said: “The RMI supports the new ‘Used Car CO2 labelling’ programme as it better informs retail customers about used car running costs. Therefore the RMI is urging all used car dealers to sign up to this scheme.”