Dealers chose to trade more of their used EV part exchanges in Q3 rather than sell them at auction according to Autorola.
Its wholesale MarketPlace online platform saw used EV volumes fall by -11.1% between Q2 and Q3 as dealers gained increased confidence to stock and sell their zero emission part exchange cars.
“In 2023 and 2024 we had many more used EVs for sale on our online auction platform because dealers didn’t want to stock them.
“In 2025 that has changed dramatically with many EV part exchanges being retailed by dealers rather than sent to auction,” explained Neil Frost, Autorola’s managing director.
“It has helped that used EV prices have gently fallen in 2025 with many electric cars being retailed for between £8-£12,000 or less which is the sweet spot for consumers to give them confidence to switch to electric.
“October might see volumes rise again on the back of a healthy September 75-plate change month but generally dealers are now asking our account managers to identify used EV stock for them to buy,” he added.
Meanwhile, used hybrids continued to go from strength to strength with prices rising by 5.1% from £20,225 in Q2 at an average of 32 months and 21,632 miles to £21,261 at 32 months and 21,778 miles in Q3. Petrol remained the most popular fuel type accounting for 56.6% of all Autorola’s used car sales in the quarter with prices rising by 10.1% to £16,559 despite average age and mileage rising to 37 months and 21,684 miles.
“Wholesale used hybrid prices have sat at around £20,000 since the beginning of 2024 with dealers and consumers prepared to pay more than EVs as they give drivers more flexibility and no range anxiety,” explained Frost.
Overall Autorola’s Q3 used car sales rose by 3.7% helped by the new 75-plate pushing more pre-owned cars into the market and by a resurgence in diesel sales. Diesel sales accounted for 23.0% of Autorola’s Q3 sales on