The UK’s used car market is continuing to show strong growth, with a 4.3% increase in sales in the third quarter of 2024. This marks the seventh consecutive quarter of year-on-year growth, as nearly 2 million vehicles changed hands between July and September.
One of the most exciting trends is the rise of used electric vehicles (EVs). Sales of used battery electric vehicles (BEVs) surged by a remarkable 57%, reaching 53,423 units. This marks the largest-ever market share for BEVs at 2.7%, up from 1.8% last year. Additionally, sales of plug-in hybrids and hybrids also saw significant increases, growing by 29% and 35.8%, respectively.
Despite this green shift, traditional petrol and diesel vehicles still dominate the market. Petrol cars saw a 5.7% increase in sales, while diesel vehicles experienced a slight drop of 3.9%. Together, these account for 91.7% of the total market.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has called for an urgent review of new EV market support and regulations to ensure the UK’s transition to electric mobility stays on track. With the used EV market thriving, now is the time to focus on sustaining this momentum and making the EV shift even more accessible for consumers.
With the used car market booming and electric vehicles making their strongest surge yet, now is the perfect time to make the switch. At Harwoods, we’re ahead of the curve, offering a range of top-quality used EVs and hybrids to help you drive into the future—sustainably and with confidence.