Used electric vehicle sales in the United Kingdom recorded strong growth in the first quarter of 2026, even as the overall used car market remained largely unchanged, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
The report showed that used EV sales increased by 32 per cent year-on-year during the quarter. In contrast, total used car transactions fell slightly by 0.2 per cent to 2,016,232 units, ending a run of 12 consecutive quarters of growth, Motor Trade News reported.
Sales of petrol cars declined by 0.6 per cent to 1,147,969 units, while diesel vehicles saw a sharper drop of 6.7 per cent to 629,987 units. Hybrid vehicle sales rose by 27.6 per cent to 128,039 units, though they remained behind diesel in overall numbers. Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sales, however, fell by 8.9 per cent to 20,021 units.
Electric vehicles accounted for 4.3 per cent of total used car sales in the quarter, while all electrified vehicles together made up 11.7 per cent of the market.
The average age of vehicles on UK roads reached a record 9.7 years, up from eight years in 2019. The SMMT said this underlines the need for a strong new car market to maintain supply. It expects new car sales to grow by 3.6 per cent in 2026 to around 2.09 million units.
Among used cars, hatchbacks remained the most popular segment. Leading models included the Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa, Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus, followed by the Nissan Qashqai.
Mike Hawes said the market remained steady despite weaker performance in March compared to last year. He noted that demand for used EVs has reached record levels as more models enter the second-hand market. He added that high fuel prices linked to tensions involving Iran could further boost interest in electric vehicles.
Industry experts said rising fuel costs and changing consumer preferences are driving more buyers toward electric vehicles. Ian Plummer said nearly one in four used car enquiries on the Autotrader platform are now for electric models under five years old.
At the same time, supply challenges remain a concern. James Wilson said many dealerships are worried about vehicle availability in 2026, particularly as demand for EVs grows. He added that most dealers are turning to digital platforms to source vehicles more efficiently.
James Hosking said the slight fall in sales reflects pressure on household budgets and uncertainty caused by global events. However, he noted that interest in EVs is rising as buyers look to reduce fuel costs, supported by falling prices for used electric and hybrid vehicles.
Despite the slowdown, industry players said demand remains steady overall, with expectations that market activity could pick up in the coming months as supply improves and pricing becomes more competitive.
