The used electric vehicle (EV) segment recorded the fastest growth in the UK’s second-hand car market in 2025, helping the overall used car trade post its third consecutive year of expansion, EV Powered reported.
Latest full-year figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders showed the overall used car market grew by 2.2 per cent in 2025. In contrast, transactions involving used electric vehicles jumped by 45.7 per cent during the year.
A total of 274,815 used EVs were sold, with the industry body attributing the sharp rise to increased supply, strong consumer demand and the prospect of lower running costs. As a result, electric vehicles accounted for 3.5 per cent of the used car market, the highest share recorded so far. Plug-in hybrid vehicles also saw growth, with sales rising by 6.3 per cent.
Commenting on the figures, SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said the data pointed to rising consumer confidence in electric vehicles. He said continued growth in used car sales reflected the strength of the market, with improving new car demand helping to increase choice and affordability, particularly for EVs.
Hawes added that the growing number of buyers switching to low- and zero-emission vehicles showed confidence in cleaner transport. However, he stressed that sustaining this momentum and accelerating the shift to lower-emission vehicles would depend on maintaining a strong and stable new car market.
Following the release of the data, a survey of used car dealers by Startline Motor Finance found broad support for incentives to further boost the secondhand EV market. Nearly two-thirds of dealers said free home chargers would encourage more motorists to switch to electric vehicles. More than half also backed low-interest loans and charging support for buyers without private parking, while half supported the reintroduction of purchase grants.
At present, there is no direct financial support for buyers of used electric vehicles. In contrast, purchasers of new EVs can receive discounts of up to £3,750 under the Electric Car Grant.
