UK car market statistics: Used and new car sales Q3/Q4 2025

Car market glossary

YoY = Year-on-year

YTD = Year-to-date

MoM = Month-on-month

Powertrain =The system responsible generating a vehicles power - and transferring it to the road.

EV = Electric vehicle

BEV = Battery electric vehicle

PHEV = Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle

MHEV = Mild hybrid electric vehicle

ICE = Internal combustion engine

SMMT = Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders

Q3 2025 and YTD used car market highlights

Source: SMMT

Used car market YTD analysis (January-September 2024-25)

Source: SMMT

• In Q3 2025, petrol remained the most popular fuel type for the used car market, with 1,145,148 sales (a 1.9% YoY increase), while diesel sales dropped 2.8% to 658,664 units.
• Internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles made up 89.2% of used car transactions, down 2.5% year-on-year.
• Electrified vehicles (BEVs, HEVs, and PHEVs) represented 10.5% of used car sales in Q3 2025, a small rise from 9.7% in Q2.

Webuyanycar’s head of technical services, Richard Evans said:

“The used car market has shown steady momentum, building on its recovery throughout the post-pandemic years. Sales have remained consistently higher than in 2024 across most months, underlining sustained consumer demand and a healthy flow of vehicles returning to the market.”

“March stood out as a particularly strong month - a familiar seasonal trend driven by the March registration plate change, which typically boosts stock levels and buyer activity.”

“The pattern of growth through the summer and into Q3 follows the usual seasonal patterns with the market tending to strengthen post-summer as trade-ins and new car supply stabilise.”

“Overall, the data points to a mature and resilient used car sector, maintaining upward momentum, despite ongoing economic pressures and shifting consumer preferences between ICE and EV models.”

Used car value trends: November 2025

Here are some key takeaways from Cap hpi’s November 2025 Future Used Car Market Overview*:

• Market performance: October used car values fell -1.1%, worse than the predicted -0.7%, but still better than the long-term seasonal average (-1.5%).
• Fuel type trends: BEVs performed best (falling just -0.1%), followed by HEVs (-0.7%), diesels and PHEVs (-1.0%) - and petrol (-1.3%).
• Stock and demand: Used stock levels remain well below normal, while retail demand stays steady and competition for top quality cars remains strong.
• BEV market: BEV values varied, with some large model movements, but almost two-thirds of ranges held steady. Retail prices fell only slightly, helping margins. Retail days in stock are broadly comparable with other fuel types - but vary significantly with age. Independent dealers are gradually returning, recognising profit opportunity - and trade values are expected to remain relatively stable.
• November outlook: Used values are forecast to fall around -1.4%, still favourable versus seasonal trends, with BEVs expected to outperform again; the new Electric Car Grant may further support demand.

*All value movements quoted refer to 36/60 (3 years/60,000 miles) unless stated otherwise.

Source: Cap hpi

Best-selling used cars Q1-Q3 2025

Source: SMMT

• Top 4 stability: The Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa, Volkswagen Golf, and Ford Focus remained the top four used sellers across Q1-Q3 2025, indicating consistent buyer demand.
• Midtable shifts: The BMW 3 Series and Volkswagen Polo climbed in Q3, overtaking the Mini, which slipped down to 7th place, suggesting renewed interest in premium and compact hatchback segments.
• Steady performer: The Nissan Qashqai has placed 9th in every quarter in 2025 so far – and also placed 9th in 2024’s overall used car sales chart.

Most popular used car types Q3 2025

• In Q3 2025, used car buyers continued to favour smaller cars, with superminis holding the highest market share (32.0%).
• Supermini sales grew 1.8% YoY to 649,859 units, while lower medium vehicle sales increased 2.0% to reach 543,094 units.
• Dual purpose vehicle (DPV) transactions also grew 9.3% YoY, to 339,628 units, the highest growth of any segment.
• Meanwhile, specialist sports cars experienced the sharpest drop of -8.6% YoY, to 55,088 units.
• Finally, upper medium and executive vehicles saw declines of -2.8% and -0.9% respectively, reflecting softening demand in higher-end segments.

Used car market predictions for 2025 and beyond

• According to the ‘baseline’ forecast in Cox Automotive’s Q2 2025 forecast, used vehicle transactions in the UK will reach 7,643,043 units by the end of the year.
• The ‘upside’ and ‘downside’ forecasts for 2025 are 7,902,238 (+3.4% YoY) and 7,245,995 (-5.2% YoY) respectively.

Source: SMMT/Cox Automotive

Used vehicle parc forecast 2025-2027

According to Cox Automotive’s Q2, outlook, the UK’s used car parc is forecast to remain stable in overall volume through to 2028, but with a clear shift in fuel type mix, as electrified vehicles gain traction and traditional powertrains decline:

• Diesel (including diesel MHEVs) vehicles are expected to fall steadily from 11.1 million (31%) in 2025 to 9.7 million (26%) by 2028, reflecting the ongoing shift away from diesel as buyers move toward cleaner options.
• Petrol (including petrol MHEVs) will continue to dominate the used market but gradually decline from 20.9 million (57%) in 2025 to 19.5 million (53%) by 2028.
• BEVs will see the fastest growth, rising from 1.82 million (5%) in 2025 to 3.7 million (10%) by 2028 - an increase of around 103% over this period.
• HEVs and PHEVs will also expand significantly, from 2.59 million (7%) to 4.18 million (11%), up by around 61%.
• By 2028, electrified vehicles (BEVs, HEVs, and PHEVs) are expected to account for around one in five used cars (21%), underscoring the accelerating transition away from traditional fuel types.

webuyanycar’s head of technical services, Richard Evans, said:

“The data highlights a clear transition in the UK’s used car market as the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel sales approaches. Traditional fuel vehicles are steadily losing share, reflecting tighter emissions rules and changing consumer preferences.

“Government incentives such as the Electric Car Grant, manufacturer discounts, and growing confidence in the public charging network are accelerating demand for electrified models.

“Battery electric vehicles show the strongest momentum as more enter the used market, while hybrids and plug-in hybrids act as a bridge for cautious buyers. By 2028, the shift toward cleaner, more sustainable mobility will be well underway.

New car market statistics: October 2024-25

Source: SMMT