Strongest month-on-month price growth since 2021 as used car market defies headwinds
According to Autotrader’s AI-powered Retail Price Index, the used car market strengthened in April, with prices rising 1.8% month-on-month (MoM) on a like-for-like basis — the fastest monthly increase since November 2021[1].
While price growth typically follows March’s plate-change, April’s uplift outpaced seasonal norms[2], signalling a firm start to Q2. On an annual basis, prices remained flat (0.0%), marking a full year of stable movements – with Autotrader’s data also pointing to shifting demand patterns, including accelerating interest in electric vehicles (EVs) and continued strength in older vehicles.
This performance reflects a used car market underpinned by robust fundamentals. Autotrader recorded 83.8 million cross-platform visits in April (up 1.3% year-on-year), with transactions increasing 3% over the same period. Franchise retailers led growth (+4%) supported by stronger supply of electric cars that were in such high demand, with independents also up (+1%), highlighting broad-based trading momentum across the market.
Crucially for retailers, this demand is translating into fast stock turn. Used cars are currently selling in 27 days on average — unchanged year-on-year — maintaining an efficient and highly active sales environment.
While overall demand remains resilient to external pressures, Autotrader’s data does show signs of shifting buying behaviour. Rising fuel costs are accelerating interest in electric vehicles, with more than 2 million EVs now on UK roads – underlining the growing pace of adoption.
In April, used EV prices (£23,555) rose 3% MoM — outperforming the wider market — while demand on Autotrader surged 59% YoY, up from 38% in March, and marking the highest rate of demand growth in over a year[3]. In contrast, interest in petrol (£14,988) and diesel (£14,597) vehicles softened -6.5% and -18.1% respectively, reflecting changing cost considerations for motorists.
This growing demand is converting into faster sales, with EVs selling in 28 days on average (down from 31 days in April 2025) and now accounting for more than one in ten used car transactions. For the first time, EV supply fell in April, as strong demand saw stock sell faster than it entered the market, particularly among 3–5-year-old models, which are selling in just 25 days on average, making them the fastest-selling segment of the market.
However, with used petrol cars currently the fastest selling fuel type overall (27 days), this surge in EV performance does not signal a collapse in demand for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, but rather a market that’s becoming increasingly segmented. While newer stock is being shaped by electrification, demand for older vehicles remains firmly rooted in traditionally fuelled cars.
This divergence is most evident in the 10-15-year-old segment of the market. Given the growing level of EV sales is still only a relatively recent phenomenon, just 45% of consumer interest is focused on ICE cars aged below five years old. However, that proportion naturally rises as high as 96% in the 10-15-year-old segment. Indeed, demand for petrol and diesel cars within this age cohort rose 4% and 3% respectively on Autotrader last month.
Highlighting the strength of this segment more broadly, 10-15-year-old cars saw like-for-like pricing rise 8.4% YoY and 2.1% MoM in April — significantly outperforming the wider market - whilst maintaining strong stock turn at 27 days.
Its performance is being driven by a structural imbalance. A shortfall of 5-7-year-old stock (expected to fall circa 35%[4] over the next two years), which has been caused by reduced new car supply during the pandemic, is pushing more buyers into older vehicles. At the same time, these cars continue to offer a more familiar and affordable route into car ownership, helping to sustain very strong demand despite wider economic pressures.
April’s data highlights the underlying resilience of the used car market. While wider economic conditions are clearly impacting consumer sentiment about the broader economy, car ownership remains essential for most households, which remain confident in their ability to afford their next car - continuing to support very stable levels of buying demand.
“Encouragingly, this is translating into stable pricing, steady transaction growth, and a fast-moving market. However, stable pricing shouldn’t mean static strategy – different parts of the market are moving at pace, with demand evolving in different ways across segments. For retailers, the opportunity lies in aligning stock with where demand is evolving — particularly as interest in EVs accelerates, while older, traditionally fuelled cars continue to deliver strong demand, faster stock turn and price growth. Retailers who price accurately and source stock with confidence will be best placed to convert this sustained consumer appetite into profitable sales.”
Top 10 used car price growth (all fuel types) | April 2026 vs April 2025 like-for-like
Top 10 used car price contraction (all fuel types) | April 2026 vs April 2025 like for like
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