At a glance
- The average age of vehicles drops to 4.7 years – a significant fall from the all-time high reached in July.
- Another strong month for Volvo models in the retail margin chart.
- The average mileage dropped for a second consecutive month.
- Tesla Model 3 matches Tesla Model Y’s 21-day record in days to sell.
- Nissan Qashqai claims top spot in sold volume for fifth successive month.
Dealer Auction’s EV Performance Review (EVPR) for September revealed that when it came to alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs), buyers were driving sales in a fresher – younger – direction.
The average age dropped for a second month in a row to 4.7 years, and while not as low as the averages seen at the start of the year, it’s still a significant drop considering the all-time high was reached only two months earlier. This was matched by a drop in mileage to 38,100 – 44% lower than the highest ever figure, reached in July.
The average sold price grew for a second month, rising to £14,299. And bids received increased by 7.6%, coming close to the record reached in March this year.
Notably, AFVs made up 10% of all used car sales in September. With petrol and diesel prices still increasing, it’ll be interesting to see how this figure changes in the coming months.
Dealer Auction’s Marketplace Director, Kieran TeeBoon, commented: “September was an exceptional month for new car sales, and we’re starting to see the effects of this in the used car market. It’s already had a notable effect on AFV average age and mileage metrics, and it’ll be interesting to see if this continues into the final quarter of the year.
“We’ll be looking to see what other trends will emerge over the coming months. As always, those who keep their eye on the market trends and insights will be able to capitalise the quickest on new opportunities.”
Looking at the top-performing models this month, it was another strong month for Volvo. The XC90 climbed up a position from last month to take the top spot, followed by the Volvo XC60 in second place and the XC40 securing seventh place, while the BMW 3 Series secured third place. There was one electric model in the top 10 this month – the Tesla Model Y, which placed sixth, showing a continuation of a growing confidence in the EV market.
While the top 10 featured no new models, only five models were repeats from August’s chart. Notable returnees that are back after more than six months included the VW Golf (last seen in February) and the Toyota Prius (last seen in December 2025), suggesting a slight shift in dealer demand and a renewed interest in established models.
In the volume sold chart, the Nissan Qashqai claimed the top spot once again. It’s the fifth consecutive month that this model has topped this chart, highlighting its sustained popularity among dealers.
Two EV models made the sold volume top 10 in September. The first is the Nissan LEAF, which makes a top 10 appearance for the fifth month in a row, while the second was the Tesla Model 3, which continues to demonstrate the brand’s strong appeal in the used EV market.
The Lexus NX topped the table for CAP Clean performance with an excellent 102.5%. The table also featured two EV models: the Nissan ARIYA and Tesla Model 3 – highlighting continued strong performance from electric vehicles in September. The Tesla Model 3 also matched the record 21 days to sell set by its Tesla counterpart, the Model Y, just last month.
TeeBoon concluded: “With surging fuel prices, AFVs – especially EVs – may become a much more appealing option for many buyers. Added to this is the ever-increasing choice of AFV brands and models as manufacturers expand their line-ups.
“It’ll be interesting to see how this affects buying trends further down the line as more options filter into the used car market. Quarter four will certainly be an exciting time for dealers looking for new sale opportunities.”
ENDS
Make sure to check out last month’s EV performance review for more insights.
About Dealer Auction
Dealer Auction is the UK’s leading digital remarketing platform. We give buyers and sellers more choice, better insight and greater margins. Dealer Auction is an independent company, created through a joint venture between Cox Automotive and Autotrader. For more information, visit www.dealerauction.co.uk.
Launched in May 2024, Dealer Auction’s EV Performance Review (EVPR) is a monthly feature that tracks the performance and trends of EV and hybrid vehicles on the UK’s leading digital remarketing platform.
