What’s the latest on used car prices

17 Jun

May’s Retail Price Index (RPI) from Autotrader records the strongest price growth in three years as robust demand drives faster sales. In this used car update we will look at;

Market dynamics
Used EV performance
Margin opportunities for retailers

Positive movement in the used car market

The used car market continues to show robust health this month with strong consumer demand, rising retail prices and quick selling time for vehicles, with the average price of a used car sitting at £17,306¹. Like-for-like pricing has risen 0.7% YoY marking the strongest rate of growth in nearly 3 years¹. Although there is a slight softening in levels of supply in the market (a fall of 6.6% YoY), this has been outweighed by consumer demand. The performance on the Autotrader site is a clear indication of the robustness of consumer demand, with 83.7 million cross platform visits in May¹. Alongside this, in May we also hit a new record with the most active monthly users we’ve ever had on our app, 3.7 million people actively used the Autotrader app to search for their next car¹. This hight intent activity is translating inot fast-moving transactions with the average speed of sale for a used car sitting at just 29 days, two days faster than May 2025¹.

How are used EVs performing?

In recent months, the EV market has continued to go from strength to strength in the UK. For the first time, new EVs are becoming more affordable than their petrol equivalents, while demand continues to rise as an increasing number of consumers look to more sustainable and cost-effective driving options for both new and used EV. In April 2026 for the first time ever EV enquiries on Autotrader increased by a massive 125% YoY and used EVs now account for 9-in-10 electrci enquiries on our platform². This increase in EV interest has been further accelerated by rising fuel prices, driven in part by ongoing geopolitical tensions around the world.

This month, demand for used EVs surged 36.4% YoY, now outpacing supply in the market, supply has declined by 11.2% YoY, tightening inventory further¹. This overbalance in demand for used EVs saw YoY pricing flatten (0.0%) in May¹. For the first time since December 2022 YoY EV pricing has been non-negative, marking the end of a 40 month consecutive months of decline¹.

Used EVs are selling faster than ever, averaging just 24 days on the market, this is 12 days faster than the exact same period last year and 5 days faster than the average used petrol car¹. The 3-5-year age bracket is showing very positive signs in this market, attracting 48% of all used EV enquiries and representing the fastest- selling age bracket¹.

Where are the opportunities for margin?

The older segment of the market has continues to present a clear pocket of margin for retailers. This month pricing has increase for all cohorts older than three years, but most notably the 10-15-year-old segment has increased by 8.3% YoY¹. The average price of a vehicle within this segment has now reached a record high on £7,213¹.

Marc Palmer, Head of Strategy and Insights at Autotrader had this to say;

“We’re also seeing continued strength in older vehicles, where constrained supply and sustained demand are creating clear margin opportunities. Overall, the fundamentals remain firmly in retailers’ favour with well-priced stock continuing to sell quickly”

How can retailers take advantage of these profit opportunities?

Keeping on top of changing market trends can help retailers make more informed decisions around pricing, sourcing, and stock management. Having access to live market data and retail insights makes it easier to understand what’s happening in the market right now, spot more opportunities earlier and react to changes in consumer demand.

Market Insight provides a view of live market trends so you can see how changes in supply, demand, and pricing will impact your business, helping you to optimise your current and future forecourt through smarter pricing and sourcing decisions
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You can use Retail Rating to secure the right stock for your forecourt. Choosing the right vehicles can improve your days to sell and potentially improve profits
See where your vehicle sits in the market with a real-time view of Autotrader Valuations within Retail Check. Giving you visibility into the live retail market, helping you maximise margin on every sale.
Identify stock that needs to be disposed of sooner by monitoring the Retail Rating and Retail Valuation of a vehicle. Helping you to minimise losses and optimise your forecourt.
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