The UK’s used car market grew by 2.8% in Q3 2025 to reach more than two million transactions, according to the latest figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). It was the best third quarter since 2021 and marks an 11-quarter growth streak.
Hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) transactions rose by 30% to 107,727 units, increasing market share to 5.3%, while plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sales also grew, by 2% to 23,480 units, comprising 1.2% of the market. Battery electric vehicle (BEV) uptake grew faster than any other powertrain – up 44.4% to 80,614 units, as one in 25 buyers make the switch for a record market share of 4%.
The average age of the UK vehicle parc continues to increase and currently stands at 9.5 years – up from eight years in 2019.
Meanwhile, the UK new car market remained stable in October as registrations rose 0.5% to reach 144,948 units.
Registrations by fleets declined slightly, falling -1.5%, but the decline was offset by a small increase in registrations by private buyers, up 2%.
Electrified vehicles were the only powertrain technologies to record growth, largely driven by BEV uptake, registrations of which rose by 23.6%, equivalent to 7,028 additional units. As a result, BEVs took a 25.4% market share, the second highest recorded this year. Plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) uptake rose 27.2% to account for 12.1% of the market, while hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) posted growth of 2.1% to claim a 13.3% share. Combined, electrified vehicles comprised the majority of new car registrations for the second consecutive month, with 50.8% of the market.
While October’s growth was more modest, year to date the overall BEV market is now up 28.9%, at 386,244 units – more than registered in the whole of 2024 – with two months still to go before the year ends. BEVs now account for 22.4% of all new sales.
The SMMT reports that UK deliveries of new light commercial vehicles (LCVs) fell by -15.1% in October with 22,896 vans, pickups and 4x4s registered. The decline follows a robust September market and reflects a contraction in fleet renewal across 2025, down -10.2% to 264,160 units in the year to date.
Volumes of new battery electric vans also declined for the first time in 13 months, by -5.8% to 2,132 units, although the BEV market share edged up to 9.2%, given the overall market’s steeper contraction. In the year to date, BEV volumes have increased by almost half (47.4%) to 24,250 units.
More information on the SMMT website: Automotive Industry News UK - SMMT.
