The UK's used car market is increasingly reflecting the growth of electric vehicles sold new, with battery electric models now making up nearly one in 20 second-hand transactions, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The trade body reported that second-hand EV sales climbed 23.2% in the third quarter of 2026, giving battery electric vehicles a 4.8% share of all used car deals. That's up from 3.9% during the same period a year earlier. In total, 97,625 used EVs changed hands over the quarter, and year-to-date figures show used battery electric transactions have jumped 39.6% to 295,524 units.
The wider second-hand market also grew, albeit more modestly, with overall transactions rising 0.5% to just over six million for the quarter.
Hybrid electric vehicles performed strongly too, with sales up 25.9% and their market share climbing to 6.7%, compared with 5.3% a year ago. Plug-in hybrids told a different story, however, with transactions falling 13.3% to 20,911 units, leaving them with just a 1% slice of the used market.
Traditional fuel types showed mixed results. Petrol vehicle demand held steady, while diesel sales dropped 5.3%, leaving diesel with a 30.7% share. The SMMT attributed the diesel decline largely to shrinking supply from the new car market rather than falling demand. Overall, combustion-engine vehicles still dominate, accounting for 87.5% of used car sales, though that's down slightly from 89.5% in the same quarter last year.
The SMMT pointed to a broader industry challenge behind these shifts: manufacturers' continued heavy investment in new EV models, often sold at steep discounts, is putting "significant pressure" on trade-in values for existing vehicles. That dynamic, the organisation says, discourages owners from upgrading and slows the overall flow of cars into the second-hand market.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said sustaining this momentum would require a robust new car market supported by policies that boost EV uptake, including accessible and affordable charging infrastructure alongside stronger financial incentives.
The automotive sector remains a significant pillar of the UK economy, contributing 11.2% of the country's manufactured exports and 10% of total exports. British-made vehicles are shipped to more than 140 countries worldwide, generating roughly £111 billion in trade.
Source: EV Infrastructure News
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