Electric vehicles are gaining momentum on the UK’s used car market, according to new analysis from online retailer cinch, which reported a 39% year-on-year rise in EV sales across its platform in the first quarter of 2025.
The uptick is partly attributed to falling EV prices, which dropped 4% over the same period. The Tesla Model 3 led the charge as the most sold electric model, climbing four places to the top of the chart compared with the same quarter in 2024. Hyundai’s KONA Electric also saw a strong debut, entering the top five from outside the top 10 a year ago.
Sam Sheehan, motoring editor at cinch, said: “We predicted 2025 was going to be the year many drivers made the switch to electric, and our latest data bears that out. While petrol and diesel cars continue to deliver the most used car sales overall, EVs and hybrids are the fastest growing markets.”
Emerging Chinese brands such as BYD, OMODA and ORA also gained traction. BYD sales were up 300% between Q4 2024 and Q1 2025, suggesting growing interest among UK consumers. Meanwhile, the Tesla Model Y was the fastest-selling EV, followed by the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Hyundai IONIQ.
In the broader used car market, the Vauxhall Corsa remained the overall top-selling model for the second consecutive quarter, overtaking long-time favourite Nissan Qashqai. Hatchbacks saw a 5% rise in search interest, but SUVs remained the clear favourite with searches up 24% year-on-year.
“You just have to look at Britain’s streets to see how much SUVs dominate the car market,” Sheehan added. “From budget-friendly compact crossovers to larger luxury options, there’s an SUV out there for everyone.”
The report also revealed how seasonality continues to influence consumer behaviour. During the UK cold snap in early January, searches for cars with heated seats rose 77% compared with daily averages in December.