Average used alternative fuel vehicle prices rose to £14,299 on Dealer Auction in September as the age and mileage of cars sold fell.
The platform’s latest EV Performance Review recorded a 7.6% increase in bids received, taking activity close to its March record.
The average age of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) sold fell for a second consecutive month to 4.7 years, following a record high in July. Average mileage also declined for a second month to 38,100 miles.
The figures cover AFVs, including hybrid and electric models, rather than battery electric vehicles alone.
Kieran TeeBoon, marketplace director at Dealer Auction, said: “September was an exceptional month for new car sales, and we’re starting to see the effects of this in the used car market.
“It’s already had a notable effect on AFV average age and mileage metrics, and it’ll be interesting to see if this continues into the final quarter of the year.”
Volvo leads retail margin rankings
The Volvo XC90 moved up one position to lead September’s retail margin chart, ahead of the Volvo XC60 and BMW 3 Series.
The Volvo XC40 also featured in seventh place, while the Tesla Model Y was the only fully electric model in the top 10, ranking sixth.
Five models retained a place from August’s chart. Returning models included the Volkswagen Golf, last featured in February, and Toyota Prius, which had not appeared since December 2025.
| Make & model | Fuel type | Assumed retail margin | Avg. days to sell | Avg. AT Retail Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volvo XC90 | Hybrid | £6,272 | 41 | 36 |
| Volvo XC60 | Hybrid | £5,719 | 41 | 51 |
| BMW 3 Series | Hybrid | £4,116 | 38 | 59 |
| Kia Sportage | Hybrid | £3,716 | 36 | 62 |
| Hyundai Tucson | Hybrid | £3,688 | 32 | 78 |
| Tesla Model Y | Electric | £3,643 | 22 | 93 |
| Volvo XC40 | Hybrid | £3,625 | 34 | 70 |
| Volkswagen Golf | Hybrid | £3,468 | 33 | 78 |
| Toyota Prius | Hybrid | £3,459 | 37 | 57 |
| Lexus NX | Hybrid | £3,450 | 36 | 67 |
Qashqai maintains volume lead
The Nissan Qashqai topped the AFV sold-volume rankings for a fifth consecutive month.
Two fully electric models featured in the volume top 10: the Nissan Leaf, making its fifth consecutive monthly appearance, and the Tesla Model 3.
The Model 3 also recorded 21 days to sell, matching the review’s record set by the Tesla Model Y in August.
The Lexus NX led the CAP Clean performance table, achieving 102.5% of the benchmark value. The Nissan Ariya and Tesla Model 3 also featured in that ranking.
TeeBoon said increasing model choice and fuel costs could influence demand for alternative powertrains.
He said: “With surging fuel prices, AFVs – especially EVs – may become a much more appealing option for many buyers.
“Added to this is the ever-increasing choice of AFV brands and models as manufacturers expand their line-ups.
“It’ll be interesting to see how this affects buying trends further down the line as more options filter into the used car market.”