UK Used EV Market Shows Strong Growth, Outpacing Australia
The United Kingdom’s used car market is demonstrating a significant and growing share for electric vehicles (EVs), providing a potential roadmap for Australia’s own burgeoning EV sector. Data released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) for 2025 indicates that Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) accounted for 23.4% of new car sales, with overall EV sales (including Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles – PHEVs) reaching 34.6%. This contrasts sharply with Australia’s 2025 figures, where BEVs represented 8.6% and total EVs 13.1% of new car sales.
EVs Constitute Growing Percentage of UK’s Used Car Fleet
This surge in new EV sales has directly translated into a more mature used EV market in the UK. The BEV component of the UK’s total car parc (all vehicles in use) has now reached 5.33%, a substantial increase compared to Australia’s current figure of just under 2%. This larger volume of used EVs in the UK offers a more representative picture of the general second-hand EV market compared to Australia, where smaller fluctuations in supply can disproportionately impact availability and pricing.
Factors Influencing UK Used EV Market Dynamics
In 2025, used BEV sales in the UK saw a notable increase of almost one-third compared to the previous year, a direct reflection of the earlier growth in new EV registrations. This trend also signifies growing consumer confidence in the second-hand BEV market. Looking ahead to 2026, predictions suggest that the growth of used EV sales in the 4-to-6-year-old bracket may be constrained. This is attributed to production and sales limitations experienced during the COVID-19 era. Consequently, prices in this segment are expected to see a slight increase due to these supply constraints. Buyers may therefore shift their attention to slightly older models from 2018/19, which were sold in lower volumes, potentially leading to further price pressures.
Stability Expected in UK’s Used EV Market
Despite these specific pressures, the overall outlook for the UK’s used car market in 2026 is one of stability and moderate price movements. This is largely because EVs are beginning to achieve critical mass within the second-hand market. Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, commented on the market’s resilience, stating, “A third year of used car sales growth underscores the market’s resilience, with recovering new car demand revitalising choice and affordability – especially for EVs – in the used market. The record number of buyers making the switch signals growing confidence in zero and ultra-low emission motoring. Maintaining this momentum, however, and driving the fleet renewal needed to decarbonise our roads at pace, must start with ensuring a strong and sustainable new car market.”
Australia’s Used EV Market: A Different Trajectory
In contrast, Australia’s used BEV market is not expected to experience the same level of price stability in 2026. The smaller volume of EV models sold in Australia, particularly before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, means the market is still developing. The country’s BEV car parc remains significantly smaller than the UK’s, leading to potential ongoing volatility in used BEV sales prices. However, buyers who can defer their purchases for another 12 to 18 months may be rewarded with more stable pricing and a wider selection of 2-to-4-year-old second-hand EVs as Australia’s BEV car parc approaches a more substantial size.
Conclusion: Patience Key for Australian EV Buyers
The trajectory of the UK market highlights a common pattern: Australian consumers often observe overseas EV markets mature before similar developments occur domestically. Nevertheless, international examples like the UK and Norway serve to counter claims that there is a lack of demand for new or used BEVs, or that their prices will remain prohibitively high or plummet dramatically on the second-hand market. These established markets demonstrate that once EVs gain a foothold, they integrate into the automotive ecosystem, with buying and selling patterns mirroring those of traditional internal combustion engine vehicles.