The latest used car prices
February’s Retail Price Index (RPI) from Autotrader shows that while prices are steady, opportunities are shifting within the used car market. Some vehicles are flying off forecourts, while others are slowing down and knowing where to focus could make all the difference for retailers. In this used car update we look at:
What February’s prices mean for the market
Why older vehicles are becoming a bigger opportunity for retailers
The challenges facing ‘nearly new’ vehicles
How the used EV market is performing compared to petrol
Used car prices are steady
February has brought a sense of stability to the UK used car market, a welcome relief for retailers. According to Autotrader’s RPI, average used car prices remained flat month-on-month at £17,197¹. This is the second-highest average since November 2023 and only slightly below January 2026¹. This price stability is driven by strong consumer demand highlighted by the 80.2 million platform visits to the Autotrader in February¹. Even with this month being shorter, engagement remained high, and the surge of browsers in January has transitioned into committed buyers in February.
One of the most positive signs for dealers is the increased speed of sale. On average vehicles sold in 27 days¹, a full day faster than Feb 2025 and 14 days faster than Jan 2026¹. This fast turnover of stock reflects strong demand within the market.
High demand and squeezed supply are creating new profit potential
However, we can’t ignore the tightening supply that is affecting the market. According to Autotrader’s analysis, the volume of 5-7-year-old vehicles will see around a 35% drop in supply over the next two years compared to 2024¹ as the impact of the pandemic-era production shutdown flows up through the used market. For retailers this means that there will be more competition for limited stock. Careful forecourt planning and proactive sourcing will be essential for success in this market.
That said, the data also reveals that there may be other potential pockets for profit in the market.
Vehicles ages 5-10-years, which make up the core of the used market, are still in high demand, selling in around 26 days¹. But, older aged stock particularly 10-15-year-old vehicles are becoming a real opportunity for profit. These vehicles not only sold faster than any other segment of the market in February (averaging 25 days to sell¹), but also saw the biggest rise in retail prices, reaching £7,006¹. This is nearly a 10% increase YoY¹. Even bigger dealer groups are starting to focus on this older segment of the market, which shows that there is untapped profit potential here.
At the other end of the market, ‘nearly new’ vehicles (less than 12 months old), are facing steep competition from both brand-new vehicles and older used vehicles. Prices for ‘nearly new’ fell by about 5% YoY¹ and selling times extended slightly to 29 days¹. Retailers may need to consider pricing strategies carefully to remain competitive in this market to make sure they can still sell without shrinking margins.
The EV market shows steady sales but the future remains uncertain
The used EV market is following a similar pattern to petrol vehicles. EVs are taking roughly 29 days to sell, just 2 days behind their petrol counterparts¹. Improvements mirror those seen across traditional fuels YoY. With the energy market uncertainties continuing to make headlines, interest in used EVs could spike, offering retailers another opportunity to position themselves strategically.
“When global oil prices spike, it can take a few weeks for those increases to hit UK forecourts with existing fuel supplied covering demand. Historically, higher fuel costs drive more interest in electrical and fuel-efficient cars as drivers look to manage costs.” - Marc Palmer, Head of Strategy & Insight
Overall, February’s data highlights a market that is stable but evolving. For retailers, the key lies in adapting to changing supply dynamics, identifying fast-moving segments of the market and seizing opportinities where demand is high and stock is limited. Whether it’s capitablisisng on older vehicles, managing ‘nearly new’ stock effectively, or keeping an eye in the growing EV market, retailers who stay agile and informed are best positioned to thrive in the months ahead.
¹ Autotrader Internal Data Feb-26
