Drivers favour petrol and diesel cars over EVs as millions opt for traditional vehicles

Petrol and diesel vehicle sales have remained dominant across the UK used car market, despite rising sales of electric cars.

New figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders showed conventionally fuelled cars accounted for 88.2 per cent of all second-hand sales during the first three months of the year.

More than two million used cars changed hands between January and March, although the market dipped slightly by 0.2 per cent compared with the same period in 2025. The decline ended 12 straight quarters of growth.

March was particularly weak after a strong performance last year, when more than 700,000 used vehicles were sold, the best March figure since 2017.

Petrol cars remained the most popular choice among UK drivers, with nearly 1.15 million sales recorded during the quarter, although they were down slightly by 0.6 per cent year-on-year.

Meanwhile, diesel vehicles also continued to attract strong demand, although sales fell by 6.7 per cent to around 630,000 units.

Analysts explained that this is partly because fewer diesel cars are entering the second-hand market as manufacturers reduce production of diesel models.

Together, petrol and diesel vehicles still vastly outnumber electric alternatives in the used market, showing most buyers continue to favour traditional engines despite government efforts to encourage the switch to electric motoring.

Battery electric vehicle sales rose sharply by 32 per cent to nearly 87,000 units. However, EVs still made up only 4.3 per cent of all used car sales.

Hybrid and plug-in hybrid models also saw growth, meaning electrified vehicles combined accounted for 11.7 per cent of second-hand transactions during the quarter.

Industry forecasts now predict BEVs will make up 26.8 per cent of new car sales this year, down from an earlier forecast of 28.5 per cent.

The SMMT said the figures highlighted the need for a review of Britain's electric vehicle transition.

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Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, said: "The UK's used car market remained flat in the first quarter, held back by weakness in March in comparison with a very strong performance in 2025.

"Better news is the record demand for used electric vehicles, as growing choice from manufacturers feeds through into the second-hand market."

Mr Hawes also warned that rising fuel prices linked to tensions in Iran could encourage more motorists to consider electric vehicles.

However, he stressed that more Government support was needed to speed up the switch away from petrol and diesel cars, noting that "every fiscal and policy lever must be pulled" to create a stronger new car market.

The average age of cars on UK roads has now reached a record 9.7 years, up from eight years in 2019, underlining how long drivers are keeping their vehicles before replacing them.

A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said: "Used EV sales have hit a record high, and we're backing drivers to make the switch every step of the way.

"There are over two million EVs in the UK, and our Electric Car Grant has already helped over 100,000 people save up to £3,750 off a new electric car."

Iain Reid, global content director at Carwow, said: "The latest SMMT figures, which show sales of used pure electric cars reached a new high in the first three months of the year, reflect both cost pressures and expanding consumer confidence in electrified vehicles."