4:52 am, June 12, 2026
EVs accounted for almost half of the biggest monthly price risers in the UK used car market in May.
Cazana data shared exclusively with Car Dealer reveals that 12 of the top 25 strongest-performing three-year-old models in the country were electric vehicles, reinforcing the view that rising used EV prices are becoming a new trend rather than a short-term blip.
Leading the charge was the BMW iX3, which saw its average retail value jump by 7.4% month-on-month, rising from £27,363 to £29,380. The Skoda Enyaq followed with a 6.8% increase, while the Volkswagen ID.5 also climbed by 6.8%.
Elsewhere, the Cupra Born gained 6.7%, the Vauxhall Vivaro-e Life rose 5.5%, and the Tesla Model 3 increased by 5.2% during the period.
Other electric models featuring among the biggest risers included the BMW i4 Gran Coupe, Volkswagen ID.3, Volvo C40 Recharge, Volkswagen ID.4, BMW iX and MG4.
The full list of the highest risers in May can be seen below.
Earlier this week, automotive analyst Derren Martin told Car Dealer in an interview – which you can watch at the top of this story – that electric vehicles were now the strongest-performing fuel type in the used market, with average values rising 1.2% in May following a 1.1% increase in April.
Martin said: ‘EVs have been the strongest performing fuel type in terms of pricing. And yeah, this month they’ve gone up by 1.2%. It is the strongest performer again.’
He also dismissed suggestions that the recent recovery was temporary, adding: ‘I don’t think it’s too early to say that at all. I think it’s a definite trend.’
While the Mini Countryman topped the overall Cazana chart with a 10.7% rise, followed by the Kia Cee’d at 8.3%, electric vehicles dominated the remainder of the rankings.
Premium EVs proved particularly strong performers. Alongside the BMW iX3, the BMW i4 Gran Coupe climbed 5.4% and the German brand’s flagship SUV, the iX, rose by 4.2%.
Meanwhile, more affordable electric cars also continued to strengthen. The MG4 rose 4.0% month-on-month to £12,850, while the Cupra Born climbed to almost £17,000.
It’s just strong prices that’s hitting the headlines, however, as demand for EVs is strong too.
Overall data for used car prices in May, published by Cazana earlier this week, shows the some used EVs are among the fastest-selling cars in the UK.
The MG4 is currently averaging just 13 days in stock, while the Cupra Born takes 16 days and the Tesla Model 3 19 days to find a buyer.
Falling prices over recent years had finally brought many used EVs into reach of mainstream buyers, said Martin.
‘When you’ve got a 12 grand electric vehicle and people considering it and realising that they do work for them, if they’ve got a charge point at home, it definitely works for them.’
Top month-on-month risers at 3-year age – Cazana data
- Mini Countryman (Petrol) – +10.7% (£19,718 → £21,818)
- Kia Cee’d (Petrol) – +8.3% (£14,486 → £15,688)
- BMW 3 Series Hybrid PHEV (Hybrid) – +7.5% (£26,817 → £28,825)
- BMW iX3 EV (Electric) – +7.4% (£27,363 → £29,380)
- Skoda Enyaq IV EV (Electric) – +6.8% (£19,439 → £20,759)
- Volkswagen ID.5 EV (Electric) – +6.8% (£18,382 → £19,630)
- Cupra Born EV (Electric) – +6.7% (£15,920 → £16,993)
- Toyota Corolla Hybrid HEV (Hybrid) – +6.0% (£18,986 → £20,119)
- Volkswagen Golf (Diesel) – +5.8% (£21,629 → £22,874)
- Vauxhall Vivaro-e Life EV (Electric) – +5.5% (£15,401 → £16,245)
- BMW i4 Gran Coupe EV (Electric) – +5.4% (£28,072 → £29,581)
- Mini Countryman (Petrol) – +5.3% (£23,039 → £24,267)
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class (Hybrid) – +5.2% (£28,781 → £30,284)
- Tesla Model 3 (Electric) – +5.2% (£20,666 → £21,740)
- BMW X1 (Hybrid) – +5.1% (£28,673 → £30,140)
- Audi S3 Sportback (Petrol) – +4.7% (£28,127 → £29,461)
- Ford Fiesta (Petrol) – +4.7% (£12,537 → £13,129)
- Peugeot 208 (Petrol) – +4.5% (£12,334 → £12,885)
- Volkswagen ID.3 EV (Electric) – +4.4% (£14,496 → £15,138)
- Volvo C40 Recharge EV (Electric) – +4.3% (£19,652 → £20,499)
- Hyundai i10 (Petrol) – +4.2% (£10,972 → £11,433)
- Volkswagen ID.4 EV (Electric) – +4.2% (£17,003 → £17,713)
- BMW iX EV (Electric) – +4.2% (£33,932 → £35,350)
- Volkswagen Polo Hatch (Petrol) – +4.0% (£15,037 → £15,637)
- MG4 EV (Electric) – +4.0% (£12,358 → £12,850)
