Shifts, trends and demand: Understanding the used EV market
The used EV market is evolving fast, with demand growing unevenly across different age brackets in the market. This is our third instalment of our Road to 2030 series which aims to breakdown the key findings from the Road to 2030 Report. In this article, we take a closer look at the shifting dynamics in the used EV market, exploring
Which age groups are driving demand
How battery concerns are shaping buyer decisions
Why younger EVs are facing market pressure
If you missed our pervious instalment of this series, where we explored new EV demand and market growth you can read it here.
As the car market becomes more electric the used EV market is maturing and dynamics are shifting. Demand for used EVs up to 6 years old continues to grow with total enquiries up 27% YoY¹. In 2025, 3–5-year-old EVs were also the fastest-selling vehicles of any fuel type¹.
Autotrader Internal Data Jan 2026 - Dec 2025
As the EV market matures, we’re seeing that the demand for used EVs is being increasingly driven by vehicles in the 3-to-6-year bracket. Enquiries from this age group is up 50% YoY, making them the most attractive to buyers and the key driver of used EV growth in 2025¹. EVs within this age bracket were selling on average in 25 days, 5 days faster than the market average in 2025¹ . Strong demand in this segment of the market is keeping prices steady, unlike the ups and downs seen in the younger 0-3-year EV market.
So what’s driving the demand in this segment of the market?
As we have highlighted in other articles in this series, a significant driver of EV growth and demand is choice!
Buyers have more options than ever when it comes to brand, spec, and price and now more retailers are stocking EVs. By the end of 2025, 80% of franchise dealers, and 1-in-5 independent retailers had an EV on their forecourt¹, making it easier for customer to access EVs.
This year 1-in-10 of all cars aged 5-7 will be electric and 1-in-4 aged under 3 will be electric¹. Yet, despite the growing availability and increased demand for EVs, there is still work to be done to support buyers in the used market to make the transition to electric. 64% of consumers told Autotrader they had concerns around battery health and that these concerns would stop them buying a used EV².
To help retailers navigate these concerns and conversations about battery life and health, we’ve created a hands-on guide to electric car batteries.
It explains everything from how EV batteries work and how long they last, to EV battery range, leasing and what happens at the end of their life cycle.
You can access the guide here.
But where does that leave 0-3-year-old cars?
While demand for older EVs is growing, the demand for used EVs is not linear across all age groups. Younger EVs, especially those aged 0-3 are under pressure. Demand has increased but modestly, and high competition in the market is slowing sales.
But where is this competition coming from ?
Both ends of the market, brand-new and older EVs are both contributing to the pressure on newer EVs. More affordable new EVs that have entered the UK market are attracting buyers. Alongside this, the Electric Car Grant (ECG) introduced last year share pulling buyers into the new market. Last year, Autotrader saw a surge in enquiries for new EVs following the announcement of the ECG¹. While grants like this help manufacturers reach targets and support government initiatives like the ZEV Mandate it draws attention away from 0-3-year-old EVs making them harder to sell and putting downward pressure on prices.
Autotrader Internal Data
On the other side of things many buyers are being attracted to older used EVs. Lower prices are pulling buyers towards older EVs, with models under £20k now attracting nearly half of all used EV enquiries on Autotrader¹.
Continued pressure on these younger EVs could mean supply and demand start to balance out, which might push prices down. In the past similar market changes, like those seen in 2023, led to falling prices. But the market is very different now.
The used EV market is starting to settle into a more mature phase, this supply-demand imbalance isn’t likely to hit prices as hard as it did in 2023. Evs remain the fastest-selling fuel type heading into 2026¹ thanks to strong buyer interest. Model choice is wider, and more retailers are stocking EVs, all of which help to prevent sharp price falls.
But it is more important than ever for retailers to keep an eye on supply and demand. With around 9-in-10 new cars bought on finance³, the expected value of the car at the end of the agreements affects monthly payments, so stable used EV prices are crucial. They not only support new car affordability but also help the EV market transition smoothly.
As new electric registrations continue to grow, especially through channels where discounted cars return to the used market within 3 years, the supply of young used EVs will keep rising. To avoid repeating the market pressures of 2023, demand must remain ahead of supply. For retailers, this means staying close to the detail, understanding how pricing, model choice, and buyer interest interact is key to keeping used EV sales strong and profitable.
Autotrader’s data, insights and tools can help retailers navigate this complex market
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Our EV Hub brings together the latest data, insight, and guides on both new and used electric vehicles in one place. It’s a great resource for retailers to tackle customer questions (Like battery health), and stay up to date on what’s influencing the EV market.
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Market insight provides a view of live market trends so you can see how changes in supply, demand, and pricing will impact your business. Track which age groups are in demand, see where supply is growing, and make smarter stock and pricing decisions to navigate a developing EV market
The used EV market is full of opportunities, but success depends on knowing which vehicles are in demand, where pressure points are, and what buyers really care about. Retailers who act on these insights and use tools available to them can turn market development into growth and make the most of the shift to electric.
If you’d like to learn more, join us for our Road to 2030 Webinar: The used EV opportunity is accelerating, and discover the retention challenge facing franchise retailers, why used EVs are going mainstream, and what the industry needs to do to prepare for rising EV supply.
Or head over to our dedicated EV Hub to see the latest data, insights and guides dedicated to the new and used electric vehicle market.
¹ Autotrader Internal Data Jan 2025
²Autotrader Car Buyers Report 2024
³SMMT, FLA
