The balance of the UK used car market is continuing to change, with the latest Autotrader data showing demand for used electric cars up 40% year on year in September.
At the same time, demand for used diesel vehicles fell by 19.2%. The figures arrived during a period of unusually high fuel prices, making running costs a much bigger part of the buying decision for many motorists.
Used EVs are no longer a niche corner of the market
As more electric cars complete their first lease or finance cycle, the number reaching the used market continues to grow. That is widening choice and creating a clearer second-hand price structure across different ages and budgets.
Autotrader reported that electric cars were the only fuel type to record annual price growth in September, with used EV prices rising 2.8% year on year. Petrol prices were down 1% after a long period of annual growth.
The average used car still costs more than £17,000
The average asking price of a used car reached £17,299 in September. On a like-for-like basis, overall used values were down 1% compared with the same period a year earlier and 0.8% lower month on month.
Those headline figures hide significant differences between individual parts of the market. A small petrol hatchback, a three-year-old EV and a premium diesel SUV can all be moving in different directions at the same time.
High fuel prices are changing the calculation
Electric cars are not the right answer for every driver. Home charging availability, annual mileage, insurance, purchase price and charging habits all matter. But when petrol and diesel prices rise sharply, the potential running-cost advantage of an EV becomes more visible.
That does not mean buyers should choose on fuel alone. Battery condition, real-world range, charging speed, warranty coverage and insurance costs should all be checked carefully on a used electric car.
Cars are still selling quickly
Despite softer average prices, the market remains active. Autotrader said used vehicles were taking an average of around 29 days to sell in September.
For sellers, that is encouraging. It suggests buyers are still willing to act when the car, condition and asking price line up. For EV sellers in particular, stronger demand can make good preparation and realistic pricing even more important.
What should buyers do?
Compare like with like. Look at age, mileage, battery size, trim, charging equipment and warranty rather than treating all EVs as one category. If you cannot charge at home, check your local public charging costs before assuming an electric car will automatically be cheaper to run.
What should sellers do?
If you are selling an EV, include the information buyers increasingly look for: battery capacity, claimed and realistic range, charging speed, charging cables, warranty status and whether the car has mainly been charged at home or on rapid chargers if known.
The September figures suggest the used electric market is maturing quickly. That gives buyers more choice and gives sellers a larger potential audience than even a year ago.
Source: Autotrader Retail Price Index and demand data, 9 October 2026.
