Used Electric Vehicle Sales Surge as Demand Accelerates by 40 Percent

Used car sales in the UK experienced a modest but significant rise in the second quarter of 2025, increasing by 1.7% to nearly 2 million transactions. According to the latest data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, a total of 1,996,116 used vehicles changed hands, marking the strongest Q2 performance the market has seen since 2021.

This marks the tenth consecutive quarter of growth, reflecting the continued recovery in the new car sector, which has helped replenish the supply in the second-hand market.

Looking at the bigger picture, used car sales in the first half of the year came within just one per cent of pre-pandemic levels. More than four million pre-owned vehicles were sold between January and June, representing a 2.2% increase compared to the same period last year.

Among the key trends shaping the market is the steady rise in demand for electrified vehicles. One in ten transactions involved an electrified powertrain, with battery electric vehicles seeing a record 68,721 units sold. That figure represents a 40 per cent year-on-year increase, giving BEVs a 3.4 per cent share of the market.

Hybrid electric vehicles also gained traction. Sales rose by 27.7 per cent to 100,127 units, making up five per cent of the total. Plug-in hybrids followed suit, with a 10.3 per cent increase in transactions to 24,370 units, securing a 1.2 per cent share.

Still, the SMMT notes that growth in the used EV market will likely remain tied to developments in the new car sector. Further progress will depend on policy action such as expanding the Electric Car Grant and accelerating the rollout of fast and accessible charging infrastructure.

Despite the upward momentum for electrified models, petrol-powered cars remained the most commonly sold vehicles in the second quarter. Transactions climbed to 1,134,387 units, a 1.5 per cent gain. Diesel sales continued to decline, falling by 4.3 per cent to 664,644 units. Altogether, combustion engine vehicles still accounted for more than 90 per cent of the market, although that share continues to shrink as EVs gain ground.

Smaller vehicles remained the top choice for buyers. Superminis held the largest share at 31.8 per cent, with 635,126 transactions recorded in the quarter. Lower medium cars came in second at 26.7 per cent, reaching 533,860 transactions. Both categories posted year-on-year increases.

As for aesthetics, colour trends continued to mirror those in the new car market. Black, grey and white led the pack, together making up 55.2 per cent of all used car transactions. White edged blue out of the top three, signalling a shift in buyer preferences.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: “Surpassing the four million half-year milestone for the first time since 2019 shows the UK’s used car market is building back momentum. “That’s good news for the industry and for motorists who benefit from more choice and affordability across a range of higher tech, cleaner vehicles, notably in the emerging electric vehicle sector. To maintain this trajectory, a thriving new car market must be delivered across the segments, along with accelerated investment into the charging network to give every driver the ability to switch.”

Philip Nothard, insight director at Cox Automotive, said: “As is often the case during periods of economic uncertainty, the UK used car market has seen a rise in popularity, offering drivers a more cost-effective alternative to new vehicles. Today’s data confirms this trend. Q2 2025 marked the strongest quarter since 2021, when supply issues in the new car market pushed consumers toward used options, and it was 3.8% above the average for 2001-2009.”

James Buxton, Car360 CCO, welcomed the continued growth in the used EV market, stating it was a clear signal that customers are comfortable buying second-hand electric vehicles.

“We need a thriving used market to ensure affordability, and the recent data proves that the UK public has the confidence to make the switch.”

The firm’s data shows that it surpassed the market for electric transactions, reporting a 40% year-on-year increase in used EV sales, along with stock levels up 60% and customer enquiries nearly doubling.

Buxton added: “Even when adjusting for the rise in vehicle availability, enquiries per car are up 25%, underlining a genuine and growing appetite for used electric vehicles.”

Finally, Dan Caesar, CEO at Electric Vehicles UK, noted: “The savviest buyers are clearly seeing the opportunity to make the switch to more affordable running costs with good value, used battery EVs.

“This echoes resilient new car registrations in July, with battery EVs accounting for more than one in five cars sold. More and more drivers are doing their research and reaping the rewards of cheaper, better battery electric vehicles. The growing proportion of used and new sales market is a clear sign of early mainstream adoption.”