Watts flying off the forecourt, as Tesla Model 3 July's hottest used car
London, 22nd July 2025 – According to Autotrader, the UK’s largest automotive platform, the Tesla Model 3 (electric, 3-5 years) is currently the UK’s fastest selling used car, taking an average of just 17 days to sell in July to date, almost two weeks faster than the average used car. Highlighting the underlying health of the market, used cars are currently selling in just 29 days, which is a day faster than in July last year, and three days faster than the same period in 2023[1].
The Tesla Model 3 wasn’t the only electric used car to make it onto this month’s top ten list of fastest sellers, with the Jaguar I-PACE (3-5 years) in close second place, selling in just 18 days on average. Indeed, six of the top ten are alternatively fuelled vehicles exemplifying the dynamic changes in demand Autotrader is seeing this July.
In fact, used electric cars have leapt from the joint slowest selling fuel type in June[2] to the current joint fastest. Selling in a rapid 28 days on average this month, used EVs are selling four days faster in July 2025 compared to the 32 days in July 2023[3].
The surge in consumer interest has been fuelled, in part, by the government’s Electric Car Grant, which according to Autotrader data, resulted in the electric share of enquiries on new cars priced at £37,000 or less to double within a single day following the announcement. Highlighting the huge opportunity for retailers to maximise stock exposure to buyers, research shows 89% of the new EV audience on its platform also consider a 3-5-year-old EV[4].
What’s more, Autotrader data reveals that used EVs generate 15 times more enquiries than new electric cars, whilst the volume of used EV enquiries has grown 92% since June 2023. The used market will be key to unlocking mainstream adoption, and with a clear electric strategy in place, all retailers should be able to capitalise on the broader opportunity the Grant offers.
As well as electric cars, the current list of fastest sellers is dominated by ‘middle-aged’ used cars. In fact, those models aged 3-5 years make up 70% of July’s hottest cars. Although there’s only one model aged between 5-10-years featuring on the list, the Honda Jazz (petrol, 21 days), it’s this age cohort of the market which is currently selling the fastest overall. The average 5-10-year-old car is selling in just 27 days, whilst those aged 3-5, in 28 days.
Nearly new models, those aged below 12 months old, are lingering on forecourts the longest, taking an average of 33 days to sell, which is reflected in July’s current slowest selling used car; the nearly new Volkswagen Polo, which is taking an average of 50 days to sell.
“The speed at which used cars sell is a strong indicator of the health of the used car market. The clear spike in electric vehicle demand this month is encouraging—whenever EVs make headlines, we consistently see a boost in consumer interest not only for new cars, but in the used EV market as well. These dynamic shifts present valuable opportunities for retailers, but only if they're equipped with the right insights. So, I’d really encourage retailers to analyse the data and insights available to help spot the most profitable stock for your forecourt.“
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 through third party systems integrated through Autotrader Connect.
Fastest-selling used cars in July (up to 17th July)
Slowest-selling used cars in July (up to 17th July)
[1] Used Cars: July 2024 – ave. 30 days. July 2023 – ave. 32 days
[2] Both used electric and plug-in hybrid cars sold in 32 days on average in June.
[3] Used Electric Cars: July 2023 – ave. 32 days. July 2024 – ave. 29 days. July 20245 – ave. 28 days.
[4] https://autotraderroadto2030.co.uk/#used-2025
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