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The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
20 of the most popular used cars that have dropped in price in 2025 – including luxury SUV that's now £1,000s cheaper
BRIT drivers are in for a treat, with £1,000s slashed off the prices of some of the UK's most popular used cars in 2025. From the luxurious Lexus RX hybrid to the ever-reliable Nissan Leaf, a wide range of sought-after models are now more affordable than ever, according to new analysis by 5 The Tesla Model 3 is £1,000s cheaper this year, compared to the price of used models a year ago Credit: Getty 5 Lexus'RX has seen the steepest price drop, by over 30% Credit: AP 5 Other models, such as the VW Polo hybrid, saw price increases Credit: Getty 5 The Vauxhall Corsa and VW Golf also saw their prices increase this year 5 Many of the nation's favourite EVs and hybrids saw their prices decline This report particularly highlights a significant drop in prices for used EVs and hybrids, with some models depreciating by as much as 31% in the past year. The findings, based on the AA Cars Used Car Index, reflects a growing supply of second-hand EVs in the market, driven by ex-lease and fleet vehicles entering the forecourt. The Lexus RX (hybrid) saw the steepest price drop, with a 31% reduction, while the Renault Zoe and Nissan Leaf EVs - perhaps the two cheapest small EVs on the market - dropping by 20-21%. Furthermore, the Tesla Model 3, one of the nation's most popular EVs, has lost over £4,400 in value, marking a 19% decline. Read more Motors News Overall, AA Cars found the average price of the most searched-for EVs and hybrids fell by 12.8% year-on-year. These falling EV prices are increasing accessibility for UK drivers, with AA Cars reporting record levels of searches for EVs and hybrids on their platform. But despite their newfound affordability, concerns still remain around charging infrastructure, battery range and long-term costs. While EV prices are falling, petrol and diesel values remain mixed. Most read in Motors Some models, such as the VW Polo hybrid, saw price increases - up 9.4% year-on-year - reflecting strong demand. Older models, such as the Ford Fiesta and Ford Focus, experienced price drops of 11.7% and 6.6%, respectively. Mercedes' new CLA 250+ Sport is its most efficient and intelligent car ever but is spoiled by 'chavvy' feature Speaking on the findings, James Hosking, Director of AA Cars, said: 'Used EV prices have fallen off a cliff in the past year, and for drivers who've been priced out of electric motoring until now, this is a genuine turning point. 'We're seeing a growing wave of supply coming onto the used market, particularly as fleets and leasing firms de-fleet early-generation EVs and hybrids, and that's giving buyers more choice at more accessible prices. 'Our data shows that the price of almost every top EV or hybrid has dropped by double digits over the past 12 months, with some premium models down by more than 30%. "It's possible that some of this fall could be due to the age of EV models on sale getting higher. 'That kind of price movement is bringing greener vehicles within reach of thousands more households and could help to convert curiosity into action. 'The challenge is making sure buyers have the confidence to go electric. "Concerns around charging access, battery range and long-term running costs haven't gone away, and while falling prices are helping to shift EVs from a niche to a more mainstream choice, greater support is still needed to turn interest into long-term adoption. 'The Government's Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate means nearly a third of all new cars sold next year must be fully electric, but success hinges not just on supply; it depends on building real, lasting consumer demand. "The second-hand market is crucial to that journey, especially for private buyers who can't stretch to a brand new model. 'Petrol and diesel values, meanwhile, remain mixed. We've seen strong demand for newer stock like the VW Polo, but prices continue to fall on older models such as the Ford Fiesta. "This volatility shows that while headline prices may be stabilising, buyers are still being highly selective and savvy. 'Ultimately, the used market is a mirror to consumer confidence. The drop in EV prices will help accelerate the shift to zero-emission motoring, but continued investment in infrastructure, clear policy direction and compelling finance options will all be critical to turning this short-term price trend into a long-term behaviour change.'


Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
20 of the most popular used cars that have dropped in price in 2025 – including luxury SUV that's now £1,000s cheaper
It's also seen one of the nation's most popular EVs lose over £4,400 in value PRICE IS RIGHT 20 of the most popular used cars that have dropped in price in 2025 – including luxury SUV that's now £1,000s cheaper BRIT drivers are in for a treat, with £1,000s slashed off the prices of some of the UK's most popular used cars in 2025. From the luxurious Lexus RX hybrid to the ever-reliable Nissan Leaf, a wide range of sought-after models are now more affordable than ever, according to new analysis by AA Cars. Advertisement 5 The Tesla Model 3 is £1,000s cheaper this year, compared to the price of used models a year ago Credit: Getty 5 Lexus'RX has seen the steepest price drop, by over 30% Credit: AP 5 Other models, such as the VW Polo hybrid, saw price increases Credit: Getty 5 The Vauxhall Corsa and VW Golf also saw their prices increase this year 5 Many of the nation's favourite EVs and hybrids saw their prices decline This report particularly highlights a significant drop in prices for used EVs and hybrids, with some models depreciating by as much as 31% in the past year. The findings, based on the AA Cars Used Car Index, reflects a growing supply of second-hand EVs in the market, driven by ex-lease and fleet vehicles entering the forecourt. The Lexus RX (hybrid) saw the steepest price drop, with a 31% reduction, while the Renault Zoe and Nissan Leaf EVs - perhaps the two cheapest small EVs on the market - dropping by 20-21%. Furthermore, the Tesla Model 3, one of the nation's most popular EVs, has lost over £4,400 in value, marking a 19% decline. Advertisement Overall, AA Cars found the average price of the most searched-for EVs and hybrids fell by 12.8% year-on-year. These falling EV prices are increasing accessibility for UK drivers, with AA Cars reporting record levels of searches for EVs and hybrids on their platform. But despite their newfound affordability, concerns still remain around charging infrastructure, battery range and long-term costs. While EV prices are falling, petrol and diesel values remain mixed. Advertisement Some models, such as the VW Polo hybrid, saw price increases - up 9.4% year-on-year - reflecting strong demand. Older models, such as the Ford Fiesta and Ford Focus, experienced price drops of 11.7% and 6.6%, respectively. Mercedes' new CLA 250+ Sport is its most efficient and intelligent car ever but is spoiled by 'chavvy' feature Speaking on the findings, James Hosking, Director of AA Cars, said: 'Used EV prices have fallen off a cliff in the past year, and for drivers who've been priced out of electric motoring until now, this is a genuine turning point. 'We're seeing a growing wave of supply coming onto the used market, particularly as fleets and leasing firms de-fleet early-generation EVs and hybrids, and that's giving buyers more choice at more accessible prices. Advertisement 'Our data shows that the price of almost every top EV or hybrid has dropped by double digits over the past 12 months, with some premium models down by more than 30%. "It's possible that some of this fall could be due to the age of EV models on sale getting higher. 'That kind of price movement is bringing greener vehicles within reach of thousands more households and could help to convert curiosity into action. 'The challenge is making sure buyers have the confidence to go electric. Advertisement "Concerns around charging access, battery range and long-term running costs haven't gone away, and while falling prices are helping to shift EVs from a niche to a more mainstream choice, greater support is still needed to turn interest into long-term adoption. 'The Government's Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate means nearly a third of all new cars sold next year must be fully electric, but success hinges not just on supply; it depends on building real, lasting consumer demand. "The second-hand market is crucial to that journey, especially for private buyers who can't stretch to a brand new model. 'Petrol and diesel values, meanwhile, remain mixed. We've seen strong demand for newer stock like the VW Polo, but prices continue to fall on older models such as the Ford Fiesta. Advertisement "This volatility shows that while headline prices may be stabilising, buyers are still being highly selective and savvy. 'Ultimately, the used market is a mirror to consumer confidence. The drop in EV prices will help accelerate the shift to zero-emission motoring, but continued investment in infrastructure, clear policy direction and compelling finance options will all be critical to turning this short-term price trend into a long-term behaviour change.'


The Guardian
10-02-2025
- Automotive
- The Guardian
UK used electric vehicle sales hit record last year as prices fell
A record number of used electric vehicles (EVs) were sold in the UK last year, as prices eased and the choice of cars widened, according to industry data. Total sales of used cars rose by 5.5% in 2024, as 7.6m vehicles changed hands, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT). Sales rose in every month last year, as they did in 2023. Secondhand EVs were more in demand than ever, as consumers and businesses acquired 188,382 cars – 57.4% more than the year before. They made up 2.5% of the overall used car market. Some popular models of used electric car, including the Tesla Model 3 and Kia e-Niro, have fallen significantly in price in recent years, and in some cases reached near-parity with petrol cars. Colin Walker, the head of transport at the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit, said: 'It is no coincidence that such strong sales growth comes on the back of EVs largely reaching price parity with petrols on the secondhand market. It demonstrates that once prices come down, the demand for electric driving is very much there.' Black remains the top colour choice among buyers of secondhand cars and superminis are the most popular car type, the SMMT said. James Hosking, the managing director of AA Cars, said: 'The used car market is on a roll … With more electric and hybrid vehicles entering the secondhand market, buyers now have a wider selection than ever, helping to drive demand. 'This surge underscores a key consumer trend – affordability is king. With household budgets under strain, many are opting for nearly new models over splashing out on a brand-new car.' Carmakers also sold a record number of new electric cars in the UK last year. Nearly a fifth of the 1.95m vehicles sold were electric, up from 16.5% in 2023. Among new cars, sports utility vehicles were dominant, outselling other popular types of car such as the supermini for the first time. SUV sales were helped by the shift to electric, as bulkier cars have more space for a battery. EV sales have surged in Britain in recent years because of rules forcing manufacturers to sell more every year in an effort to cut the carbon dioxide emissions of transport, which accounted for 28% of all domestic UK carbon pollution in 2022. Sign up to Business Today Get set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning after newsletter promotion Under the zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate, 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans sold in the UK will be zero emission by 2030, increasing to 100% by 2035. However, the government is preparing to relax the ZEV mandate amid falling demand for EVs across the global new car market. Walker said: 'With 80% of car sales taking place on the secondhand market, it has a vital role to play if millions of UK households are to access the £1,600 in annual savings that can come from owning an EV. 'But its growth is dependent on supply, which is why the government's ZEV mandate has such an important role to play in ensuring that everyone is able to make the move to EVs. The more new EVs are sold today, the quicker the secondhand market will grow.'


The Independent
10-02-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
Sales of used electric cars reach record market share
Sales of pure electric used cars reached a record market share last year, new figures show. Some 188,000 such vehicles changed hands in the UK in 2024, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said. This represented 2.5% of the total sales of 7.6 million. The used car sector's 25-month growth streak is good news for fleet renewal and for consumers benefiting from the greater choice filtering through from the new market Mike Hawes, SMMT In 2023, the market share for pure electric used cars was 1.7%, out of a total of 7.2 million. The SMMT warned that growing demand for used and new electric vehicles (EVs) 'cannot continue to be taken for granted'. It said that the decision to remove EVs' exemption from vehicle excise duty (VED) and the expensive car supplement from April 1 was 'likely to impact on the used market' as it was 'drastically increasing ownership costs' for the first six years of their use. Last year, petrol and diesel used cars took a market share of 92.1%, down from 94.3% in 2023. Record sales of second-hand EVs also demonstrates strong appetite for these cutting-edge cars at lower price points Mike Hawes, SMMT SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: 'The used car sector's 25-month growth streak is good news for fleet renewal and for consumers benefiting from the greater choice filtering through from the new market. 'Record sales of second-hand EVs also demonstrates strong appetite for these cutting-edge cars at lower price points. 'Ensuring ongoing growth, however, means maintaining that affordability, along with supply, which requires meaningful fiscal incentives to stimulate consumer demand for new EVs and removing the VED expensive car tax disincentive that risks dragging down used EV affordability for years to come.' The Ford Fiesta was the UK's best-selling used car last year, with 306,000 transactions. This was followed by the Vauxhall Corsa (253,000 transactions) and the Volkswagen Golf (231,000). With a year of elections, policy changes and economic uncertainty, it's unsurprising that price-conscious consumers turned to the used car market for more affordable motoring options James Hosking, AA Cars James Wilson, chief operating officer of used car marketplace said: 'It's promising to see another year of growth for the used car market. 'With a year of elections, policy changes and economic uncertainty, it's unsurprising that price-conscious consumers turned to the used car market for more affordable motoring options.' James Hosking, managing director of AA Cars, said: 'The used car market is on a roll, celebrating its eighth consecutive quarter of growth and record demand for pre-loved EVs. 'With more electric and hybrid vehicles entering the second-hand market, buyers now have a wider selection than ever, helping to drive demand. 'This surge underscores a key consumer trend – affordability is king. With household budgets under strain, many are opting for nearly new models over splashing out on a brand new car.'