Used car sales in the first quarter of 2010 were down by 7.6% in comparison to the same period last year.

According to the latest information from Experian, the global information services company, the fall in sales was led by the upper medium segment which was down by 12.2%, followed by the multi-purpose vehicles (MPV) segment which saw sales fall by 10.6%.

However, the quarter-on-quarter picture reflected a common trend for this time of the year by increasing, up 14.8% compared to Q4 2009.

In contrast to the year-on-year change, this was led by sales of MPVs with a 27.3% increase in sales when compared with the previous quarter. Within this segment, the Vauxhall Zafira was the top-selling model.

Mark Wilkinson, head of sales for Experian Automotive, said: “Despite the VAT increase being delayed until January next year, challenges will continue to face the industry for the foreseeable future.

“With 2009 seeing some of the lowest sales volumes of the last 10 years, and with the scrappage discount incentive at an end, a smaller supply of younger, good quality stock will be available for the second-hand market. Retailers are likely to be reviewing stock profile more than ever. This means that they will be looking to maximise profitability from the stock available and that managing risk and avoiding vehicles with a chequered history will become a top priority."‪