September sees 50% surge in used EV searches
News
Interest in used EVs continues to boom as fuel prices remain high and more drivers recognised the benefits of going electric.
MA
Matt Allan
30 October 2026, 10:27 GMT · 2 min read
New data from AA Cars shows that views of secondhand EVs jumped 49.6% in September, compared with a year previously. They were also up 37% compared with August 2026.
James Hosking, managing director of AA Cars, said the growing interest in EVs showed the impact of the continued fuel crisis, which has pushed diesel to more than £2 per litre, as well as the ever-growing choice of EVs to suit all budgets and applications.
The quarterly used car index from the online marketplace showed that searches for eight of the 10 most popular EVs were up in September and also showed a broad variety among the most-viewed models.
The Nissan Leaf, Tesla Model 3 and Renault Zoe remained the three most searched-for EVs in Q3, in the same order as a year earlier, but other popular searches included the Volkswagen ID. Buzz, Skoda Enyaq and Jaguar I-Pace.
On average, used EV prices remained fairly static compared with last year and were just 1% more expensive than petrol equivalents – down from 3% in quarter two.
Average advertised prices across the 10 most searched-for used EVs stood at £18,633, with an average age of around four years. Five of the 10 models were cheaper than a year earlier, while two of the 10 most searched-for used EVs averaged below £10,000 in Q3: the Renault Zoe at £8,255 and the Nissan Leaf at £8,693.
Hoskins said the relative stability of prices might hint at an end to the sharp price adjustments seen in recent years, but noted it was too early to call it a long-term trend.
He commented: “Used electric cars are becoming an increasingly attractive option for motorists, with greater choice, more competitive prices and rising petrol and diesel costs giving drivers fresh reasons to consider making the switch. For buyers looking for a relatively modern car without the price tag of a brand-new model, the used EV market now offers some compelling options.
“Cost has traditionally been one of the biggest barriers to EV ownership, but the used market has evolved significantly. With a growing range of models available at different price points, buyers can increasingly compare electric cars with their petrol and diesel equivalents on age, condition and overall value, rather than assuming that going electric means paying a premium.”