The UK’s used car market returned to growth in the second quarter, with sales of used EVs rising particularly strongly as a result of more buyer choices and surging fuel prices.

A total of 2,009,318 vehicles changed hands between April and June, up 0.7%, according to newly published figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Notably, it’s the first Q2 since 2021 in which volumes surpassed two million units, with transactions just 1.2% below pre-pandemic levels. This helped offset the marginal decline recorded in Q1, delivering overall market growth of 0.2% for the year to date, with 4,025,550 transactions.

Interest in battery electric vehicles (BEVs) hit unprecedented levels over the second quarter. Transactions skyrocketed 67.0% to 110,761 units, representing the strongest quarterly growth since Q1 2024.

BEV demand rose particularly sharply in April and May (up 110.9% and 57.6% respectively compared with 37.8% in June), coinciding with fuel price rises linked to the Middle East conflict and set against a relatively weak performance last year when the VED changes came into effect.

In terms of market share, BEVs secured a record 5.5% of the used market in Q2, up from 3.3% last year. Alongside the rocketing fuel prices, the growing choice of models helped persuade buyers to switch.

Hybrid electric vehicle sales also rose, up 31.2% to 130,825 units, increasing their market share to 6.5% from 5.0% in the same period last year. Plug-in hybrid transactions, meanwhile, fell by 6.8% to 22,856 units, accounting for 1.1% of overall demand, down from 1.2% in 2025.

Petrol remained the most popular fuel type, although transactions fell 1.2% to 1,121,243. Diesel sales continued to decline, dropping 7.2% to 620,045, reflecting shorter supply from the new car market. Even so, petrol and diesel still accounted for almost nine in 10 used car sales, underlining the need for an affordable, accessible transition for all, according to the SMMT.

Superminis remained Britain’s best-selling used car type, accounting for 31.7% of demand, with volumes rising 0.2%. The lower medium segment followed, with a 26.6% market share and a 0.2% increase. The dual-purpose segment (SUVs and crossovers combined) recorded the strongest growth, up 7.4% to secure 17.7% of overall sales.

As with the new car market, monochrome colours dominated used car take-up, with more than one million used cars sold in black, grey or white (1,134,536). All three recorded growth in the quarter, up 0.7%, 4.1%, and 4.7%, respectively, and together accounted for more than half (56.5%) of the market. Blue ranked fourth despite a 1.1% decline, while silver retained fifth place in spite of a 6.4% decline in sales.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, welcomed the used car market’s return to growth but reiterated the industry’s demand again for reform of the ZEV mandate sales quotas for BEVs. A government consultation is expected to open later this week.

Hawes said: “As the used market is where most people buy their cars, plentiful and affordable supply is vital, however, increasingly unrealistic targets in the new car market risk constraining that supply and pushing up costs. Urgent regulatory reform is needed to deliver a transition that works for every driver.”

And Susan Wells, director of EV & solar at smart home brand Hive, said future used EV growth was dependent on the right foundations.

“The Government must prioritise investment in EV-related skills and training to support this growing sector. From technicians who can service electric vehicles to sales professionals who understand the technology, we need a workforce equipped for the electric future to sustain this momentum.

“Alongside this, we need investment in the expansion of public charging networks. Together, these are essential to ensure that accessible electric transport becomes a reality for all drivers, regardless of budget or location.”

James Wilson, chief operating officer of used-car marketplace Motorway, said the surge in BEV sales chimed with the company’s own performance.

“Whichever way the overall used car figures move, the real story this quarter is electric. Motorway’s own platform data shows EV sales nearly doubled year-on-year in Q2 – up 99% – as availability of used EVs increased on the Motorway platform and dealers’ demand for them rose in parallel.”