Used electric vehicles record ‘largest ever market share’

A record 53,423 used battery electric vehicles (BEVs) were sold in quarter three (Q3), a 57% increase, according to new data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

The uplift secured a 2.7% market share for used BEVs, up from 1.8% in the same period last year.

Sales of plug-in hybrids and hybrids rose, up 29% and 35.8% respectively.

With 1,123,387 petrol (up 5.7%) and 679,797 diesel vehicles (down 3.9%) also finding new owners, the used car market grew by 4.3% between July and September, marking the seventh successive quarter of year-on-year growth.

Some 1,965,811 vehicles changed hands, with 81,651 additional transactions compared with the same period in 2023.

“Growth in the used car sector is good news and driven by an outstanding range of desirable and, increasingly, zero emission vehicles to suit every budget,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive. “Maintaining this depends on a healthy new car market, particularly for EVs. 

“Giving consumers the confidence to switch from their familiar petrol or diesel vehicles requires confidence and incentives otherwise many would-be new car buyers will sit on their hands, leading to a diminishing market that will inevitably limit used car availability and affordability. 

“This will be to the cost of motorists, the economy and the environment – making a review of support for the transition and the regulation intended to deliver it, an urgent priority.”

Superminis retained their long-standing popularity, with sales increasing by 5% to 637,865 units to make up 32.4% of all used car transactions. 

Lower medium (up 5.5%) and dual purpose (up 10.5%) cars came second and third, accounting respectively for 27.1% and 15.8% of the market. 

Combined, the top three represented more than three quarters (75.3%) of all used cars changing hands. Meanwhile, the upper medium, executive, MPV, mini and luxury saloon segments recorded falls.

Black remained the best-selling used car colour, accounting for 21.2% of all transactions. 

Unchanged from the same period last year, grey took second place, growing by 7.9% to 17.6% of sales, followed by blue, up by 2.8% and making up 16.1% of the market. 

Silver was the only colour in the top 10 to see volumes fall, slipping to fifth place.

From January to September, transactions have risen in every month and with just one quarter to go until the year end, the used car market is up 6% on the same period in 2023, with almost six million (5,897,129) units sold in the first nine months.