The UK’s used EV market continues to grow at an impressive rate, with new figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) recording 86,943 used electric vehicle transactions in the first quarter of 2026, reaching a new high for the period.
This figure is a significant 32% rise over the number of used EVs sold in the same quarter last year, and indicates that around one in 23 used buyers are going electric, compared to one in 30 during Q1 of 2025.
Thanks to several years of strong new electric car sales, these models are now filtering down and creating a healthy supply of electric cars on the used market. And, with new EV sales continuing to reach record market share in the UK, helped along with incentives such as the Electric Car Grant, the used EV market is set to grow further in the years to come.
Given the significant discounts on electric vehicles buyers can find on the used market, this used market is an important tool for allowing people to make the switch to an EV, perhaps for the first time, at an even more affordable cost than purchasing new. The remarkably low levels of battery degradation seen on modern EVs also mean consumers can be more confident than ever in making a used EV purchase.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, commented:
“The UK’s used car market remained flat in the first quarter, held back by weakness in March in comparison with a very strong performance in 2025. Better news is the record demand for used electric vehicles, as growing choice from manufacturers feeds through into the second-hand market. High fuel prices, given the conflict in Iran, may increase demand even further, but to maintain this momentum, every fiscal and policy lever must be pulled to ensure a healthy new car market that delivers zero emission vehicles that can in future flow through to the used market.”
