Secondhand electric transactions up almost a quarter to help used market record its best year since lockdown
Demand for used electric cars rose by almost 25% in the third quarter of the year, helping prop up an otherwise sluggish secondhand market.
Between August and October, 97,625 used EVs changed hands, marking a 23.2% increase over a year previously. Year-to-do, secondhand electric sales have grown 39.6%, with 295,524 transactions since the start of 2026.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said the growth reflected the “sustained investment” in the new EV market, which has also seen electric models lead growth over the past year.
There are now more than 170 new electric models on sale in the UK and these are quickly filtering down into the secondhand market.
While EV growth far outstripped other fuel types, used electric models still only accounted for around 5% of all secondhand transactions in Q3 – up from 3.9% a year earlier.
Petrol remained the largest segment, with transactions more or less static at 148,576 vehicles (56.6% of the market). Used hybrid sale also rose by 26% but plug-in hybrids dropped by 13%.
James Hosking, managing director of AA Cars, said the growing range of options and the impact of the fuel crisis were helping boost the used EV market.
He commented: “Used electric cars are giving the industry a significant uplift, with rising fuel prices offering motorists another reason to consider making the switch. Used EV transactions rose by 21.1% year-on-year, and our own figures reflect this growing appetite, with views of used electric car listings jumping almost 50% year-on-year in September.
“That interest is translating into sales. Separate AA Cars research found that more than a third of used Tesla Model 3s, Polestar 2s and Tesla Model Ys sold through our platform this year found buyers within just seven days.”
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes used the positive EV figures to reiterate calls to ease the UK’s ZEV Mandate.
He said: “Accelerating the used market’s EV transition depends on a healthy new car market. Manufacturers are investing heavily in new models and offers to boost uptake, broadening future choice for used buyers.
However, reliance on discounting on what is brand new technology to meet increasingly unfeasible ZEV Mandate targets puts significant pressure on trade-in values, discouraging renewal and slowing the flow of vehicles into the used market.
“Reforming the mandate to reflect market realities would support a more sustainable transition and protect choice for new and used buyers.”
