Second-hand vehicle sales surpass pandemic recovery benchmark; here are the top-selling used car models in 2025 thus far
UK motorists have been flooding the second-hand car market in the initial quarter of 2025, reaching unprecedented levels not seen since pre-pandemic times, recent reports confirm.
Used car transactions smashed the two-million mark for the first time in the first quarter since 2019, with a whopping 2,020,990 vehicles changing hands.
The growth in sales, which marks the ninth consecutive quarter of growth, is attributed to a steady supply from the new car sector. Economic and political uncertainty has encouraged drivers to turn to the used car market, while there's been a significant growth spurt for used electric vehicles as swifter depreciation makes them a more cost-effective option compared to petrol cars of the same age and size.
Despite the dominance of SUVs in the new car market in terms of sales, it's small models that continue to be a considerable mainstay of used demand. Superminis took the lead, accounting for a third of all transactions. In specific, the popular Ford Fiesta (79,617 units), Vauxhall Corsa (65,008), and Mini Hatch (41,439) held top spots among the top five most popular models.
Most Popular Used Car Models in Q1 2025 (UK)
- Ford Fiesta: 79,617
- Vauxhall Corsa: 65,009
- Volkswagen Golf: 58,080
- Ford Focus: 57,956
- Mini: 41,439
- BMW 3 Series: 40,810
- Vauxhall Astra: 39,726
- Volkswagen Polo: 39,179
- Nissan Qashqai: 38,364
- BMW 1 Series: 32,597
While manufacturers have been phasing out numerous much-loved internal combustion engine models in pursuit of a zero-emission future, small and relatively inexpensive cars have been the first to lose their spots as brands revamp their model lineups in anticipation of the 2030 ban on new petrols and diesels.
As a result, the variety of internal combustion engine options in the smallest A-segment (commonly known as city cars) has dwindled to a measly three offerings. This scarcity has been highlighted in an analysis by This Is Money earlier this year.
And the Fiesta - despite its considerable popularity - was terminated in 2023. Other models like the Fiat 500 and Volkswagen Up have also vanished from forecourts in the recent past.
However, small family hatchbacks and saloons, such as the Volkswagen Golf (58,080) and Ford Focus (57,956), still remain in high demand, accounting for a quarter (27 per cent) of used transactions in the first quarter of the year.
SUVs accounted for only 16.8 per cent of sales, barely scratching the surface of the segment's dominance in the new market. According to SMMT's records, this notable discrepancy may be due to greater supply from the new car sector fueling the used car market's growth and the pursuit of sustainable motoring options.
Industry insiders suggest that more affordable electric vehicles are becoming increasingly attractive to buyers, contributing to the growth in second-hand EV sales and the switch from petrol and diesel cars. As such, nine in ten used cars bought continue to be traditional internal combustion engine models.
Source: SMMT
- Over the next decade, drivers may consider insurance for their electric vehicles as the switch from traditional internal combustion engines to EVs continues, bringing potential savings on fuel and maintenance costs.
- In 2025, residents in the UK are advised to save for the upfront cost of used cars like the Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa, or Volkswagen Golf, as these models remain in high demand in the used car market.
- By the year 2030, when the ban on new petrol and diesel cars takes effect, the depreciation rates of used sports cars could increase significantly due to a reduced demand in the used car market but decreased supply from the new car sector.
- In the wake of diminishing options in city cars, consumers may consider purchasing an older, second-hand sports car as an affordable alternative, given its impressive performance and brand image, despite the higher depreciation compared to small family hatchbacks or saloons.
