Low emission vehicles dominate May's fastest selling rankings in wake of rising pump prices
With Brits facing rising costs at the pumps, Autotrader’s data reveals that low emission vehicles are selling at an increasingly rapid pace, with electric and hybrid models accounting for nine of the UK’s top 10 fastest-selling used cars in May so far. Electric continues to surpass other fuel types overall, with used EVs taking an average of just 24 days to sell, ahead of both petrol (29 days) and diesel (32 days).
The petrol hybrid MG ZS (1-3 years) is the fastest-selling used car in May so far, taking just 10.5 days on average to leave retailers’ forecourts, almost three times faster than the monthly average (29 days). This is followed by multiple electric models, with the Polestar 2 (3-5 years) and the Tesla Model 3 (3-5 years) taking silver and bronze respectively. Moreover, five of the top 10 fastest-selling used cars are pure electric, highlighting a consumer appetite for more fuel-efficient driving options. More broadly, 3-to-5-year-old cars remain the sweet spot for car buyers, with nine out of ten of this month's fastest-selling used cars falling within this age range. These ‘middle aged’ used cars are selling in a rapid average of 27 days.
That trend is even more pronounced for EVs, with 3-5-year-old electric models flying off forecourts in just 21 days on average. With the average price of this age cohort the same as their petrol equivalents (£19,022 vs £18,950), these cars offer one of the strongest combinations of value, specification and availability, making them especially attractive in a market where buyers remain price-conscious but still expect modern technology and efficient running costs. Indeed, in March and April, there was a significant surge in enquiries for 3–5-year-old EVs on Autotrader, which are now translating into sales.
This month’s data paints a vivid picture of today’s fiercely competitive used car market. As petrol prices continue to stay sky high, we’re seeing a clear shift: car buyers are making the switch to low emission vehicles. The remarkable pace at which electrified models are selling underscores the growing desire for cars that blend affordability with lower running costs, and It’s not just a passing trend - consumers are actively seeking out greener, smarter options.
"Because of the scale and depth of demand on our platform, we often see shifts in consumer behaviour early, giving retailers a leading indicator of where the market is heading. This, supported by our powerful AI-powered buyer insights, will allow retailers to stay close to the data, spot pockets of demand early and capture a competitive advantage.”
Whilst fastest selling data is based on past data, Autotrader retailer partners can access expected days to sell data for in and out of stock vehicles via Retail Check in Portal or via third party systems integrated through Autotrader Connect.
Fastest-selling used cars – May 2026 [2]
[1] 1st May – 11th May
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