Electrified models sweep Autotrader’s fastest-selling used car rankings

Electrified vehicles have taken every place in Autotrader’s top 10 fastest-selling used car rankings for the first time, marking a significant milestone for the UK used car market.

Pure electric vehicles accounted for eight of the 10 fastest-selling models during the first half of July, with petrol hybrids taking the remaining two places. It is the first time no petrol or diesel models have featured among the fastest sellers since Autotrader began tracking the rankings.

The MG ZS petrol hybrid, aged between one and three years, topped July’s ranking, taking an average of just 13 days to sell. It was followed by the three-to-five-year-old electric Kia Niro at 15 days and the five-to-10-year-old Tesla Model 3 at 17 days.

Electric models have strengthened their presence significantly compared with a year ago, with eight EVs featuring in July 2026’s top 10, double the four recorded in July 2025.

Autotrader said the trend reflects strengthening demand in the used EV market as improved affordability and wider stock availability encourage more buyers to consider electric vehicles.

According to its latest 2026 Retail Price Index, average used EV prices increased by 1.6% year-on-year in June to £24,662, representing the first annual price growth since December 2022 and pointing to greater stability in the market.

Used EVs are currently leaving forecourts in an average of 24 days, compared with an overall used car market average of 30 days.

The strongest performance is being seen among three-to-five-year-old EVs, which are selling in an average of just 20 days. Across all fuel types, vehicles in the same age bracket are taking an average of 28 days to sell.

With used EV prices in the three-to-five-year-old segment now at parity with equivalent petrol models, Autotrader said buyers are increasingly recognising the value available, while retailers are benefiting from faster stock turn.

The trend comes amid wider supply pressures in the used car market. Around 2.5 million fewer new cars entered the UK market during pandemic-related production disruption, creating a structural shortage of younger used vehicles. Supply of five-to-seven-year-old vehicles is expected to fall by as much as 35%, pushing more demand towards the three-to-five-year-old segment.

Other EVs among July’s fastest sellers included the Volkswagen ID.3, Polestar 2, Tesla Model Y, MINI Electric Hatch and Vauxhall Mokka Electric.

The strength of demand for electric vehicles is also reflected at the opposite end of the rankings, with no pure EVs appearing among July’s 10 slowest-selling used cars. That list is predominantly made up of petrol and diesel vehicles, alongside one petrol hybrid.

Marc Palmer, Head of Strategy and Insights at Autotrader, said: “July’s data points to a used EV market that is continuing to move in the right direction.

“We’ve seen in the past how external shocks, including fuel price volatility linked to the conflict in the Middle East, can create short-term surges in electric interest, so it feels significant to see demand being sustained beyond that initial reaction.

“Buyers are recognising the affordability now available in the used EV market, while retailers have a clearer view of where demand is strongest and which stock is most likely to perform. When that balance is right, the right cars are turning quickly.

“For retailers, the key to success will be using data to stay agile, identify the right stock, and capitalise on one of the market’s strongest areas of demand.”