Sales of used battery electric vehicles (BEVs) has grown by 32.0% to 86,943 units during the first quarter of the year, according to the latest figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Nearly one in 23 buyers (4.3%) made the switch, up from around one in 30 last year.

Hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) sales rose by 27.6% to 128,039 units, increasing their market share to 6.4%, while plug-in hybrid (PHEV) transactions fell by -8.9% to 20,021 units, comprising 1.0% of the market. Combined, electrified vehicles accounted for 11.7% of used cars finding new owners in Q1.  

Petrol remained the best-selling fuel type, despite transactions falling -0.6% to 1,147,969 units, while diesel demand experienced a -6.7% decline to 629,987 units, reflecting reduced supply from the new car market. Even so, conventionally fuelled cars still accounted for 88.2% of total transactions in the first quarter.

Overall, the used car market was down -0.2% as 2,016,232 vehicles changed hands, ending a 12-quarter growth streak.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: "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 the zero emission vehicles in volume to flow through to the used market."