More than half of UK fleets (52%) operate second-hand cars and vans, and a further 27% believe they will do so in the next three years, Arval has revealed.

Used vehicles are most often used among pool fleets

Its 2025 Mobility Observatory Barometer also shows used vehicles are most often used for pool fleet purposes and their acquisition is more common among smaller operators.

John Peters, head of Arval Mobility Observatory in the UK, said used vehicles had grown in popularity among fleets following the new car and van shortages during the recession, and proven to be a successful part of the operating fleet mix for many companies.

“This trend is something largely made possible by the high quality and resistance to wear of modern vehicle designs. Cars and vans today remain safe, financially viable to operate, and in good condition for much longer than in the past.”

Smaller companies are more likely to adopt second-hand cars and vans, with 54% already using them and 29% planning future implementation, compared to medium-sized companies at 47% and 28%, and larger companies at 53% and 19%.

John Peters, UK head of Arval Mobility Observatory

Peters explained: “Used vehicles tend to fit more easily into smaller business needs. If a large company wants to order 50 units of the same model at a year old, it’s unlikely the used market will be able to meet their needs but, if a small company requires three units, it’s quite likely they can find what they want.”

The research also explored the use cases that fleets are buying used cars and vans for, with responses of 79% as pool vehicles, 74% for job need and 53% for benefit drivers.

Peters said: “This suggests that fleets tend to identify clear roles for used vehicles, with a preference for uses where a car is an essential transport tool, rather than part of a benefit package. A used car is a utility vehicle in most cases.”

Arval’s research also found that UK fleet use of used vehicles was higher than the European and global averages of 39%

“Again, this might be an effect of pandemic production shortages, when availability of right-hand-drive vehicles tended to be worse globally, meaning those markets had to take a more improvisational approach to car and van acquisition.”

Does your fleet operate cars and vans that were not new when you acquired them, or are you considering doing so within three years (UK, European, global comparison)?

Does your fleet operate cars and vans that were not new when you acquired them, or are you considering doing so within three years (UK fleet size)?

In the Arval Mobility Observatory Barometer research, small companies are classed as those with 1-99 employees, medium companies with 100-999 employees, and large companies with 1,000 employees or more.