Financial Performance and Profitability
The market expanded for ten consecutive quarters, driven by recovery in new car sales. Petrol-powered used cars accounted for about 90.1% of sales with a 1.5% year-on-year increase in Q2, while diesel fell 4.3%. Hybrid vehicle sales grew strongly by 27.7%, plug-in hybrids rose 10.3%, and battery electric vehicles (EVs) saw the largest surge with a 40% increase, reaching 3.4% market share.
Revenue by Geography
Specific revenue splits by UK region are not publicly detailed, but the market comprises broad participation across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, supported by volume sales of used vehicles nationwide.
| Region | Revenue (GBP) | Share of Total Revenue (%) |
|---|---|---|
| England | Significant majority | Majority |
| Scotland | Moderate | Moderate |
| Wales | Smaller share | Smaller |
| Northern Ireland | Smaller share | Smaller |
Regional and Global Sales Performance
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The UK used car market experienced a 1.7% year-on-year growth in Q2 2025, the strongest Q2 since 2021, with 1.99 million transactions.
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The first quarter of 2025 recorded over 2.02 million transactions, a 2.7% increase year-on-year, marking the ninth consecutive quarter of growth.
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Market traction is notably strong for hybrid and electric powertrains, underpinning shifts toward cleaner vehicles in the second-hand market.
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Average selling times for 3-5 year old battery electric vehicles reduced to about 35 days, faster than petrol or diesel equivalents, reflecting rising consumer interest.
Best Selling Vehicles
The used car market is dominated by petrol and hybrid models, with EVs rapidly gaining ground but still a smaller fraction of overall volumes. Specific best-selling used models are not detailed in the available data, but petrol vehicles remain dominant.
| Model Type | Notes |
|---|---|
| Petrol Vehicles | Largest market share (~90%) |
| Hybrid Vehicles | Fast growing (27.7% YoY growth Q2) |
| Plug-in Hybrids | Moderate rise, 1.2% market share |
| Battery EVs | Fastest growth (40% YoY increase) |
Weakest Performers and Segment Underperformance
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Diesel used car sales declined by 4.3% in Q2 2025.
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Despite strong growth, electric vehicles still account for a relatively small share (3.4%) of the used car market, indicating gradual transition challenges.
Industry Outlook and Strategic Focus
The UK used car market is building back momentum, reaching over 4 million transactions in H1 2025—levels not seen since 2019. The sector benefits from a recovering new car market and increasing consumer preference for greener vehicles. Future growth depends on sustaining new car availability, infrastructure improvements for EVs (notably charging networks), and maintaining affordability in used vehicle options to serve cost-conscious drivers.
Summary
The UK used car market in the first half of 2025 is robust, nearly regaining pre-pandemic transaction volume with over 4 million sales. Growth is driven by petrol and hybrid vehicles, while electrified cars are rapidly increasing their presence. The market reflects evolving consumer preferences toward cleaner technologies amid broader industry recovery. Continued support for new car production and EV infrastructure will be critical to maintain this growth trajectory.
Sources: Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT); BusinessCar; WebuyAnyCar; Cox Automotive.
