Used EV sales soar to record levels

Sales of used electric cars reached new record highs in the third quarter of 2025, according to the latest official data.

As the market continues to mature, sales of secondhand EVs were up by 44.4% – far outstripping any other powertrain, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

The latest jump saw a total of 80,614 used EVs sold between July and September, as one in 25 buyers made the switch. Used electric cars now account for a record market share of 4%, up from 2.8% in Q3 2024.

The SMMT said that ongoing efforts to boost the new EV supply and growing consumer interest in electric models were helping to drive the record growth.

EVs’ growth outperformed the overall market, which was up 2.8%, marking the 11th consecutive month of growth for the secondhand sphere and the best Q3 since 2021.

Hybrids also enjoyed strong growth – up 30% – while PHEVs and petrol rose 2% and 1.9% respectively. Diesel’s decline continued – down 2.8%, but ICE vehicles still accounted for 89.2% of the market – a fall from 91.6% last year.

Despite EVs’ rising popularity, the average age of the UK vehicle parc continues to increase, and currently stands at 9.5 years. However, 99,313 cars under a year old – a third of them electrified – changed hands in Q3. The SMMT says many of these entered the used car market via employee car ownership schemes (ECOS), which provide essential mobility for workers in the automotive sector.

The industry body warned that the supply of newer, low and zero-emissions vehicles from such schemes could be “severely” affected by government plans to apply company car tax to ECOS vehicles. It predicted that new car registrations could fall by around 80,000 units a year if such plans were enacted, robbing employees of transport options and cutting VAT and VED revenues to the Treasury.

SMMT chief executive, Mike Hawes, said, “With used EV uptake at a record high, a robust used car market is essential for fleet renewal, and helps make electrified mobility more accessible for more motorists.

“However, overall consumer choice and affordability are at risk if the government scraps Employee Car Ownership Schemes, a move that would stifle supply of the very latest vehicles into the used market and cut Exchequer revenue. Britain needs fiscal policy that promotes rather than prevents economic growth, social mobility and decarbonisation.”