Used Electric Car Sales Rise 32% in UK First Quarter

Sales of used battery electric vehicles reached a record high in the first quarter of 2026 as more affordable models entered the second-hand market. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reported that 86,943 used EVs changed hands between January and March.

That figure is 32 per cent higher than the same period a year earlier and lifts the EV share of total used car sales to 4.3 per cent, or roughly one in every 23 transactions. The overall used car market was almost unchanged, with 2,016,232 sales recorded in the quarter.

That represented a decline of just 0.2 per cent from the first quarter of 2025 and brought to an end a run of 12 consecutive quarters of growth. March sales in particular were softer than expected after an unusually strong performance in March 2025, when more than 700,000 used cars were sold in a single month for the first time since 2017.

Used hybrid electric vehicles posted strong growth, with sales rising 27.6 per cent to 128,039 units and capturing a 6.4 per cent market share. Sales of plug-in hybrids fell 8.9 per cent to 20,021 units, equal to 1 per cent of the market. When all electrified vehicles are combined they accounted for 11.7 per cent of used car transactions during the quarter.

Petrol cars remained the dominant segment despite a 0.6 per cent decline, with 1,147,969 units sold. Diesel sales dropped 6.7 per cent to 629,987 units. Together petrol and diesel vehicles still represented 88.2 per cent of the used car market.

Superminis continued to be the most popular category of used car, although sales fell 1 per cent to 648,229 units and accounted for nearly a third of the market. Lower medium cars, which include family hatchbacks, held a 27.1 per cent share. SUV-style dual-purpose vehicles recorded the strongest growth among major segments, rising 5.4 per cent to 357,295 sales.

Black and grey remained the two most popular colours for used cars. White returned to third place. Cream posted the largest percentage increase at 11.7 per cent, though absolute volumes were low at 1,399 units. Pink sales fell 17.8 per cent while maroon was the least popular colour with 1,108 sales.

The average age of cars on UK roads has risen to a record 9.7 years, up from 8.0 years in 2019. Industry forecasts expect new car sales to total 2.093 million units in 2026, a rise of 3.6 per cent, with the expected share of new EVs revised down to 26.8 per cent after a weaker start to the year.

A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said used EV sales had reached a record high and pointed to the Electric Car Grant, which has helped more than 100,000 people save up to £3,750 on a new electric car. The growth in used EV sales has highlighted the need for technician training.

The Institute of the Motor Industry reported that only one in four UK technicians is currently qualified to work on electric vehicles. Its chief executive stated that government and industry actions are increasing EV uptake but that skills training must accelerate to match demand while the existing fleet of internal combustion engine vehicles continues to require maintenance.