11:38 am, June 8, 2026
May’s used car market saw strong consumer demand, fast selling times and rising retail prices, new data shows.
Autotrader’s latest AI-powered Retail Price Index shows the average price of a used car was £17,306 last month, a 0.7% year-on-year and like-for-like basis – the strongest rate of growth in nearly three years.
Strong consumer demand outweighed a slight softening in levels of supply in the market, which fell 6.6% year-on-year, said the company. This translated into a fast-moving trading environment, accelerating the speed of sale for the average used car to just 29 days—two days quicker than in May 2025.
Demand for used EVs surged 36.4% year-on-year, outpacing supply in the market, which last month fell by 11.2% year-on-year.
As a result, used EVs are selling faster than ever, taking an average of just 24 days to sell – 12 days quicker than the same period last year and a full five days faster than the average used petrol car.
This shift in supply and demand dynamics has stabilised EV pricing – the overbalance in demand saw year-on-year pricing flatten (0.0%) in May, marking the first time year-on-year EV pricing has been non-negative since December 2022, ending 40 consecutive months of decline.
The 3-5-year-old EV segment is proving particularly important, attracting 48% of all used EV enquiries on Autotrader’s platform, and representing the fastest-selling age bracket.
Beyond EVs, May’s overall market price growth was largely driven by older stock, with pricing increasing for all cohorts older than three years.
The 10-15-year-old segment rose 8.3% year-on-year, reaching a record average price of £7,213.
Autotrader’s head of strategy and insights, Marc Palmer, said: ‘May’s data reinforces the resilience of the used car market, with car buyers evidently shrugging off broader concerns about the economy.
‘While demand has normalised slightly year-on-year, it continues to outpace supply, supporting both pricing and faster stock turn for retailers.
‘Cost factors are nonetheless coming through strongly in terms of the type of car consumers are increasingly looking at.
‘Electric vehicles are the standout story this month, proving hotter than ever as buyers react to the perceptions of costly petrol and diesel motoring.
‘As demand accelerates and supply tightens, EVs are selling at record speeds and, importantly for retailers, prices have now stabilised following a prolonged period of decline.
‘We’re also seeing continued strength in older vehicles, where constrained supply and sustained demand are creating clear margin opportunities. Overall, the fundamentals remain firmly in retailers’ favour, with well-priced stock continuing to sell quickly.’
