- Used car sales rise 2.2% in 2025, marking three consecutive years of growth as 7,807,872 vehicles change hands.
- Used BEV transactions up 45.7% to record 274,815 units, as electrified car demand jumps by almost a third.
- Black remains UK’s favourite used car colour, while superminis still most popular body type.
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Q4 2025 used car data
The UK’s used car market grew by 2.2% in 2025, reaching 7,807,872 transactions, according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The increase marks three consecutive years of growth, as the new car market’s ongoing recovery boosted supply to meet robust demand – particularly for electrified vehicles.
Demand for electrified vehicles accelerated significantly, driven by an ever-increasing choice of models and the potential for lower running costs. Sales of used battery electric cars (BEVs) surged 45.7% year-on-year to a record 274,815 transactions, whilst also achieving a record 3.5% market share, up from 2.5% in 2024. Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sales rose by 6.3% to 88,032 units, while hybrids (HEVs) increased by 28.6% to 407,531 units.
Combined, used electrified car transactions rose 30.9% on 2024 to a record 770,378 units – accounting for almost one in 10 (9.9%) purchases. Petrol and diesel models, however, continued to dominate, comprising 89.9% of used transactions. Petrol remained the best-selling powertrain, rising 1.5% to represent 56.7% of the market, while diesel declined by -3.5%, to account for 33.1% of sales.
Colour preferences also remained consistent, with black retaining its position as the UK’s favourite used car colour, chosen by nearly 1.7 million buyers (21.2%). Grey followed with an 18.2% share, while white climbed 6.3% to overtake blue and secure third place with 16.0% of sales. Together, the top three accounted for more than half (55.4%) of all sales.1
Among the least popular shades, 5,279 pink cars changed hands, while maroon slipped to last place with 4,697 transactions. Cream recorded the strongest growth, rising 10.6% to 5,152 units, and green delivered the top 10’s highest growth – up 9.1% to 136,742 units.
Once again, superminis led the market, accounting for almost one in three (32.1%) transactions. Lower medium models followed with a 26.9% share, while dual purpose cars held third place, delivering the strongest growth of all segments – up 7.6% to reach 16.8% of transactions. At the opposite end of the scale, luxury saloons represented just 0.5% of the market.
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.
Notes to editors
- Combined transactions of used black, grey and white cars, 2025: 4,328,917 units
