At a glance:
- Average age of alternatively fuelled vehicles (AFVs) dropped to 3.8 years in October.
- Average mileage also declined, reflecting a younger, fresher stock mix.
- Hybrid models dominate, with the Volvo XC90 hybrid achieving record returns.
- Mitsubishi Outlander named fastest-selling and best-selling AFV.
- Autumn Budget under scrutiny for potential used EV incentives.
The latest figures from Dealer Auction’s EV Performance Report (EVPR) reveal a strong October for the alternatively fuelled vehicle (AFV) market. AFVs traded between dealers were younger, more profitable and with lower mileages than the previous month.
The average age of AFVs fell from 4.5 years in September to 3.8 years in October, while the average mileage dropped from 46,804 to 38,263 miles. Both are significantly below the platform’s overall averages (8.3 years and 70,634 miles), underscoring robust demand for newer, well-maintained AFVs.
These results align with recent insights from Autotrader and Indicata Market Watch, which both note that younger AFVs are selling faster than ever.1 Indicata also reports that sub-2-year-old vehicles now make up a record 31% of used stock, driven by the influx of nearly-new electric models into the market.2
The average retail margin on the Dealer Auction platform rose to £2,953 in October and bids jumped to 5,332, reflecting a healthy appetite.
Dealer Auction’s Marketplace Director, Kieran TeeBoon, noted: “In a month of strong metrics, the age and mileage profiles stood out. Industry wide demand for 3–4-year-old hybrids and EVs is outpacing supply, reflecting the impact of the pandemic years. However these ‘middle-aged’ EVs are the perfect mix of trade and consumer demand from an age, mileage and price perspective. The result is a competitive market and healthy margins for retailers.”
Several standout models delivered strong returns in October. The Volvo XC90 hybrid once again stole the show for profit, achieving an average margin of £6,696, the highest on record and its fifth consecutive month at number one. The model also climbed from tenth place in September to fourth in October on the best-seller chart, suggesting that dealers are leveraging profit data to guide purchasing decisions.
The Lexus RX Hybrid (£4,149) and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (£3,209) followed closely, while the Suzuki Ignis Hybrid entered the top 10 for the first time with £2,328.
The leading digital marketplace revealed that hybrids dominated September’s top-10 charts. Indeed, the top EV for profits (Renault Zoe) came in 15th place with £1,944.
Looking at the other metrics, the Mitsubishi Outlander Hybrid emerged as the fastest-selling model in October, averaging just 26 days to sell, and also secured the top selling position overall. The Hyundai Tucson and Hyundai Kona topped the charts for CAP Clean performance, delivering solid margins of £2,860 (98.2% CAP) and £2,399 (98.8% CAP) respectively.
TeeBoon concluded: “As we enter the final months of 2025, there are certain models that dealers can’t get enough of. Hybrid models like the Volvo XC90 are offering dealers a reliable, profitable path through a fast-evolving market.
“As attention turns to the Autumn Budget this month, dealers, companies and fleet managers will be watching closely. New EVs have made remarkable progress but uptake still trails behind mandated targets and the gap could widen due to proposed changes to Employee Car Ownership Schemes (ECOS). This could reshape fleet remarketing and the supply of younger vehicles in the used market, tightening competition for the most desirable stock. It will be interesting to see if any support is announced!”
ENDS
Sources:
1https://plc.autotrader.co.uk/news-views/press-releases/middle-aged-evs-bolt-ahead-as-the-uks-fastest-selling-used-cars/
2https://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/record-decline-in-volume-of-used-cars-from-36-48-months
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 Auto Trader. 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.
