Used EV prices hit record year-on-year growth in July
Used electric vehicles enjoyed record price growth against the backdrop of a resilient wider market in July, according to Autotrader’s AI-powered Retail Price Index.
The latest data from the UK’s largest online marketplace showed like-for-like prices held steady at +0.8% YoY - unchanged from June - keeping the average used car asking price at £17,106 over the month.
The increase marks the third consecutive month of year-on-year growth for the overall market. Cars continued to move at a consistent pace, taking an average of 31 days to sell in July - flat month-on-month (MoM) and just one day slower than July 2025 (30 days).
Used EV prices strengthen
Electric vehicles were the standout story of July. Used EV like-for-like prices rose +3.3% YoY, continuing a steady upward trajectory, from flat (0.0% YoY) in May and +1.6% YoY in June, and marking a reversal of the deflationary pressure that weighed on the EV market throughout 2024 and into late 2025. The average asking price for a used EV rose by +£284 MoM to £24,946. Growth was led by 3-5-year-old EVs, where values strengthened to +10.2%, while 1-3-year-old EVs returned to positive growth after a period of decline.
The momentum reflects a continuation of the story seen in recent months, with higher petrol prices, improving EV affordability and greater buyer confidence all helping to sustain interest in electric models. Demand for EVs remained robust, up +13.9% YoY, while supply continued its recovery, rising to +5.7% and returning to positive territory, a notable improvement on the -0.8% recorded in June. This combination of strong demand and improving supply is translating into fast stock turn, with EVs selling in an average of 25 days, four days faster than July 2025 and five days quicker than petrol, which averaged 30 days.
Price growth was not confined to electric vehicles, however. Petrol pricing rose +1.0% YoY and diesel +1.4% YoY.
Older stock, and the squeeze on 3–5-year-old premium
Cars aged three years and older continued to demonstrate pricing strength, with 10–15-year-old cars remaining the strongest cohort in the market at +7.0% YoY.
The sustained rise in 3–5-year-old premium pricing in recent years also appears to be reshaping buyer behaviour. For traditional premium buyers willing to stretch their budgets, the new car market is becoming an increasingly compelling alternative, as manufacturers continue to push hard through discounts and attractive finance packages. At the same time, as values in the used premium segment have outpaced growth in many consumers’ budgets, some buyers are moving into older premium stock to stay within the segment, while others are switching into 3–5-year-old volume models instead. As a result, despite strong stock levels, 3–5-year-old premium models are proving harder to convert, while volume stock of the same age is absorbing more of the resulting demand.
Despite strong demand across the electric segment, overall market health declined to -7% YoY in July, driven by softer demand (-6.5% YoY) alongside a slight increase in supply (+0.6% YoY)
July’s data shows a fundamentally resilient and well-priced used car market in which electric vehicles are leading the way. Record annual price growth for used EVs, alongside faster stock turn, shows a segment that has moved decisively past its post-2022 correction, despite a slight softening of demand across the wider market.
“For retailers, the opportunity lies in recognising where value is concentrating: in EVs, and in older stock aged three years and above, where constrained supply and stretched premium budgets are continuing to support strong pricing. Understanding these shifts will be key to pricing accurately and converting demand into profitable sales.”
Top 10 used car price growth (all fuel types) | July 2026 vs July 2025 like-for-like
Top 10 used car price contraction (all fuel types) | July 2026 vs July 2025 like-for-like
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