The UK's used car market has surpassed two million vehicles sold in the first quarter of 2025, marking the first time this milestone has been achieved since before the pandemic.
According to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), this represents a 2.7 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.
The strong performance caps off nine consecutive quarters of growth for the used car sector.
While petrol vehicles maintained their position as the most popular fuel type in the used car market, sales only rose by 1.9 per cent to 1.15 million units.
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Electric cars now make up more than three per cent of all used vehicles sold
GETTY/PA
Diesel cars experienced a decline of 3.1 per cent, with 680,000 units changing hands during the quarter.
Electric vehicles saw remarkable growth in the used car market, with battery electric vehicles leading the charge.
BEV sales surged by 58.5 per cent to reach 65,850 units, capturing a record 3.3 per cent share of all transactions.
Ginny Buckley, chief executive of Electrifying.com, noted that a survey of 11,000 people last year found just six per cent felt confident of buying a used EV for the first time.
She added: "This surge in used EV sales shows that car buyers are waking up to the brilliant value they offer - with many electric models now priced the same as, or even less than, their petrol equivalents.
"[The survey] highlights the need for better education and support to help more people benefit from the savings and enjoyable driving experience that come with owning a used electric car."
Hybrid vehicles also attracted unprecedented numbers of second and third owners, with sales increasing by 30.2 per cent to just under 100,000 units.
Plug-in hybrids similarly performed well, with 23,540 changing hands, representing a 14 per cent increase on the same period last year.
The SMMT noted that battery electric vehicles continued their streak as the fastest-growing powertrain segment.
The organisation emphasised that long-term success in the electric vehicle market relies heavily on healthy demand for new electric cars.
Dan Caesar, CEO of Electric Vehicles UK, said: "The used EV sales success story over the last 12 months - latest data showed that EVs were the fastest growing drivetrain in terms of sales - up 58.5 per cent on Q1 2024 - is further proof that there is significant latent demand for battery EVs.
"Averaging £3,000 cheaper than used combustion cars, with typically lower running costs and longer lasting too, there are bargain BEVs on British forecourts waiting to be snapped up by shrewd buyers.
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The SMMT has called for the Government to boost support for new and used electric vehicles
PA"As they are with new car sales, battery EVs are set to become the most popular powertrain in the next five years or so as the network effect kicks in.”
The SMMT called for Government incentives to be reintroduced to sustain growth in the new and used EV sectors.
It suggested halving VAT on new electric vehicles to stimulate initial purchases and scrapping the Vehicle Excise Duty Expensive Car Supplement for electric vehicles.
