Used car transactions rose to 7,807,872 units in 2025, up 2.2% year on year, according to figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The increase marks three consecutive years of growth, supported by recovering new car supply and strong consumer demand, particularly for battery electric vehicles (BEVs).
Demand for used EV models accelerated sharply.
EV transactions rose 45.7% to a record 274,815 units, lifting BEVs to a 3.5% market share, up from 2.5% in 2024.
Plug-in hybrid sales increased 6.3% to 88,032 units, while hybrid transactions rose 28.6% to 407,531.
In total, used electrified car sales climbed 30.9% to 770,378 units, accounting for 9.9% of all used car transactions.
Ford Fiesta and ICE models still dominate
Petrol and diesel models continued to dominate the market, representing 89.9% of sales.
Petrol remained the most popular fuel type, up 1.5% to 56.7% share, while diesel volumes fell 3.5% to 33.1%.
The Ford Fiesta retained its position as the UK’s best-selling used car in 2025, followed by the Vauxhall Corsa and Volkswagen Golf.
Superminis once again led the market by segment, accounting for 32.1% of all transactions, while lower medium cars held a 26.9% share.
Dual purpose vehicles delivered the strongest growth, up 7.6% to take 16.8% of sales.
Black is most popular used car ‘colour’ option
Colour preferences remained largely unchanged. Black was again the most popular used car colour, chosen by 1.66 million buyers and accounting for 21.2% of transactions.
Grey followed with 18.2%, while white overtook blue to secure third place with a 16.0% share.
Together, the top three colours represented more than half of all used car sales.
Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, said: “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.”
Trading remains ‘complex and competitive’
Ian Plummer, chief customer officer at Autotrader, said the trading environment remains ‘complex and competitive’, but a third consecutive year of growth underscores the industry’s huge resilience, and offers a reassuring sign of market stability.
He said: “The figures also dispel any lingering doubts about consumer appetite for electric vehicles.
“We recorded nearly a billion visits last year, with demand for used electric vehicles on our platform rising 28% on 2024.
“Used EVs not only sold faster than any other fuel type but also accounted for over one in seven enquiries for used cars under five years old.”
James Hosking, managing director of AA Cars, said the growth reflected improving supply and rising consumer confidence following a period of adjustment in the market.
Hosking said: “The finance backdrop has also become a little more supportive.
“Lower interest rates than a year ago are helping to make monthly payments more manageable for some buyers, which is important in a market where finance underpins a significant proportion of used car purchases.
“Importantly, electric and hybrid vehicles are no longer niche in the used sector and are continuing to move steadily into the mainstream.”
John Cassidy, managing director of Close Brothers Motor Finance, added that motorists are increasingly turning to the used car market as the overall cost of motoring continues to rise.
He said: “As a result, the used car market will play a critical role in supporting mass EV adoption. To enable this shift, meaningful incentives alongside reliable and accessible charging infrastructure will be essential.”