Marketcheck reports that used electric car sales jumped 48.45% in December 2025, leading the overall secondhand vehicle market as prices continued their downward trend.
The used car market saw 261,409 vehicles sold across the UK last month – a 9.74% increase from December 2024. Electric cars outpaced that growth significantly, with 14,632 units sold compared to 9,500 the previous year.
Used EV prices dropped again during the same period, falling between 1.5% and 2% according to separate industry analysts.
Alastair Campbell from Marketcheck UK said the growth reflects “improving availability, falling prices, and a growing appetite among consumers for more sustainable transport.”
“The nearly 50% increase in used EV sales, showing that electric vehicles are becoming a more accessible and attractive option for second-hand buyers – all positive signs for the health of the market heading into 2026.”
Market Dynamics Show Mixed Signals
While demand surged, pricing data revealed faster depreciation for electric cars compared to petrol and diesel vehicles.
Percayso Vehicle Intelligence found used EV values fell 2% in December – double the 0.5% to 1% decline seen across other fuel types. That translates to roughly £350 less per vehicle and follows similar drops in November.
The analysts pointed to manufacturer discounts and government incentives on new electric cars as factors potentially hurting used values.
Derren Martin, automotive expert at Percayso, called for government support targeting the secondhand market specifically.
“Currently, there remains little incentive, apart from price, for consumers to buy a used EV, and attractive finance rates on new electric cars can provide a short-term win by switching a buyer into a new car rather than a used one.”
Martin emphasized that lease agreements depend on strong residual values. “Monthly payments and the whole industry rely on strong used car values at the end of a new car lease,” he said.
Different Models Show Varying Performance
AA Used Cars reported similar overall trends but noted the market’s showing signs of stabilization heading into 2026.
Their data showed an average 1.5% price drop across popular electric models during the final quarter of 2025. While that marked four consecutive quarters of decline, the pace slowed compared to earlier periods.
Individual models performed differently – Tesla Model 3 values actually increased 0.5%, while Renault Zoe prices rose 1.4%.
The Nissan Leaf struggled more significantly, dropping 5.5% in the final quarter and falling 28.4% compared to the same period in 2024.
James Hosking, managing director of AA Cars, attributed much of 2025’s price volatility to fleet vehicles entering the used market alongside manufacturer price cuts on new models.
“Much of last year’s price reset was driven by a surge in ex-fleet EVs reaching the used market at the same time as manufacturers reduced new EV prices to stimulate demand.”
He noted that these pressures eased by the fourth quarter, with improved consumer confidence supporting values for popular models.
The data suggests buyers previously priced out of electric car ownership are now entering the market as more affordable options become available.
