Used EVs sell fastest in Britain: 20 days, says Autotrader
Three-to-five-year-old EVs now sell 10 days faster than the used market average, while used EV prices are rising year on year. What it means if you are buying or selling.
Quick answers
- Three-to-five-year-old EVs took an average of 20 days to sell in August 2026, 10 days faster than the 30-day used market average.
- Electric was the fastest-selling fuel type for the fourth month running and made up 60% of Autotrader's top 10 fastest sellers.
- Like-for-like used EV prices rose 3.8% year on year to £25,095, with three-to-five-year-old EVs up 9.4% to £20,351.
- SMMT figures show 110,761 used battery electric cars changed hands in Q2 2026, up 67.0%, a record 5.5% of the used market.
Used EVs are the quickest cars to sell in Britain. Autotrader says three-to-five-year-old electric cars took an average of just 20 days to sell in August 2026, 10 days faster than the 30-day average across the used market (Autotrader). Prices are also rising, so if you plan to buy, expect less room to haggle.
Which used EVs sell fastest?
Electric was the fastest-selling fuel type for the fourth month in a row, making up 60% of August’s top 10. Six of the ten are EVs. The list was led by the petrol hybrid MG ZS (one to three years old), at 13.5 days, with the pure electric Polestar 2 and MG4 close behind at 17 days each. MG, Tesla and Polestar account for seven of the top 10.
| Measure | Result |
|---|---|
| Three-to-five-year-old EV, average days to sell | 20 |
| Used market average | 30 |
| Polestar 2 and MG4 | 17 days each |
| EVs in the top 10 | 60% |
Are used EV prices rising?
Yes. Autotrader’s like-for-like data shows used EV prices up 3.8% year on year to an average of £25,095. Three-to-five-year-old EVs rose 9.4% year on year to £20,351 (AM Online). Values of that age group were up 10.2% in July. Our earlier piece on why now could be the time to buy covers how prices got here.
What does a 20-day sale mean for buyers?
A shorter time on the forecourt usually means dealers have less reason to cut the price. The 10-day gap to the 30-day market average suggests you should have finance, insurance and a checklist ready before you view a car, because a car you hesitate over may be gone by the weekend. Autotrader’s price data points the same way: the three-to-five-year-old group, which sells fastest, is also where prices have risen most, at 9.4% year on year.
The rankings also show which cars to watch. The MG4 and Polestar 2 both sold in 17 days on average. Tesla appears alongside them in the seven top-10 places taken by MG, Tesla and Polestar. If you want one of these, set up alerts and be ready to travel for it. Our guides to the used Tesla Model 3 against the used Polestar 2 and used MG ZS EV cover two of them in detail.
Why is demand so strong?
SMMT recorded 110,761 used battery electric car transactions in Q2 2026, up 67.0%. That lifted share to a record 5.5% of the used market, from around 3.3% a year earlier (SMMT). Demand jumped in April and May, coinciding with fuel price rises linked to the Middle East conflict.
Motor Trader reported on 17 August that Cap HPI expects used EV values to outperform the market in the short term, but that the advantage will narrow over the next three months. Used EV values fell 0.2% in July against 0.8% for the wider market (Motor Trader).
What this means for you
- Buying: shortlist before you visit, as good examples go quickly. Our used electric cars to buy list and used EV buying checklist help you move fast without skipping checks.
- Check the battery: use a battery health certificate or test before paying.
- Selling or trading in: faster sales and rising values favour you, though the trend may narrow.
- Budget: see used EVs under £15,000 if the average price is too high.
How we test and where our numbers come from
Range figures are official WLTP combined values taken from manufacturer UK specification pages, with real-world estimates drawn from independent comparative testing. Prices are UK list prices at the time of the latest update. Tax, grant and charging-scheme figures come from GOV.UK and HMRC publications. We re-check every guide when pricing, specification or policy changes. Last checked 6 October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How fast are used EVs selling in the UK?
Autotrader says three-to-five-year-old EVs took an average of 20 days to sell in August 2026, against 30 days across the wider used market.
Which used EVs sell fastest?
The pure electric Polestar 2 and MG4 sold in 17 days on average. MG, Tesla and Polestar account for seven of Autotrader's August top 10.
Are used EV prices going up?
Autotrader's like-for-like data shows used EV prices up 3.8% year on year to £25,095. Three-to-five-year-old EVs are up 9.4% to £20,351.
How many used EVs were sold in Q2 2026?
SMMT recorded 110,761 used battery electric car transactions, up 67.0% and a record 5.5% of the used market.
Sources and further reading
- plc.autotrader.co.ukAutotraderPrimary source referenced in this article.
- am-online.comUsed EVs turning 10 days faster than market averageTrade coverage of the Autotrader speed data.
- evpowered.co.ukUsed EVs fastest-selling cars on Autotrader as values riseCoverage of the August rankings and price rise.
- smmt.co.ukUsed car market returns to growth as EV sales accelerateQ2 2026 used BEV transactions and market share.
- am-online.comUsed EV prices return to growth after three year slideCoverage of Autotrader's used EV price figures.
EV Compared
The EV Compared editorial team tracks the UK electric vehicle market full time: new model launches, list prices, WLTP and real-world range, public charging tariffs and the tax rules that decide what an EV actually costs to run. Every guide is checked against manufacturer specifications and official GOV.UK figures, and updated whenever the numbers move.
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