Why Did Electric Cars Make Up Almost Half of the Biggest Used‑Car Price Rises in May?

Are electric vehicles driving the biggest monthly price rises in the UK used‑car market? In May, Cazana data – shared exclusively with Car Dealer – shows that EVs featured in 12 of the 25 strongest‑performing three‑year‑old models, suggesting a genuine upward trend rather than a short‑term blip.

EVs dominate the May price‑rise leaderboard

The BMW iX3 led the charge, with its average retail value climbing 7.4% month‑on‑month from £27,363 to £29,380. Close behind were the Skoda Enyaq and Volkswagen ID.5, each up 6.8%.

Other notable risers included the Cupra Born (+6.7%), Vauxhall Vivaro‑e Life (+5.5%) and Tesla Model 3 (+5.2%). Additional electric models such as the BMW i4 Gran Coupe, Volkswagen ID.3, Volvo C40 Recharge, Volkswagen ID.4, BMW iX and MG4 also featured among the biggest gainers.

Premium versus affordable EVs

Premium electric models performed strongly: the BMW iX3, BMW i4 Gran Coupe (+5.4%) and the flagship BMW iX (+4.2%) all saw double‑digit percentage rises. Meanwhile, more affordable EVs continued to improve – the MG4 rose 4.0% to £12,850, and the Cupra Born pushed towards the £17,000 mark.

Demand is keeping pace with price

High prices are only part of the story. The MG4 is now selling in an average of 13 days, the Cupra Born in 16 days and the Tesla Model 3 in 19 days, indicating strong buyer interest.

Analyst Derren Martin told Car Dealer that EVs were the strongest‑performing fuel type, with average values up 1.2% in May after a 1.1% rise in April. He dismissed suggestions that the recovery was temporary, calling it “a definite trend”.

Martin added that falling prices over recent years have brought many used EVs within reach of mainstream buyers, noting that a £12,000 electric car becomes attractive when owners have access to a home charge point.

Overall market snapshot

While EVs dominated the price‑rise list, the overall Cazana chart was topped by the Mini Countryman, which surged 10.7%, followed by the Kia Cee’d with an 8.3% increase. Hybrid models such as the BMW 3 Series PHEV and Toyota Corolla Hybrid also featured among the top movers.

Top month‑on‑month risers for three‑year‑old models (Cazana data)

1. Mini Countryman (Petrol) – +10.7% (£19,718 → £21,818)
2. Kia Cee’d (Petrol) – +8.3% (£14,486 → £15,688)
3. BMW 3 Series Hybrid PHEV – +7.5% (£26,817 → £28,825)
4. BMW iX3 (Electric) – +7.4% (£27,363 → £29,380)
5. Skoda Enyaq (Electric) – +6.8% (£19,439 → £20,759)
6. Volkswagen ID.5 (Electric) – +6.8% (£18,382 → £19,630)
7. Cupra Born (Electric) – +6.7% (£15,920 → £16,993)
8. Toyota Corolla Hybrid – +6.0% (£18,986 → £20,119)
9. Volkswagen Golf (Diesel) – +5.8% (£21,629 → £22,874)
10. Vauxhall Vivaro‑e Life (Electric) – +5.5% (£15,401 → £16,245)
11. BMW i4 Gran Coupe (Electric) – +5.4% (£28,072 → £29,581)
12. Mini Countryman (Petrol) – +5.3% (£23,039 → £24,267)
13. Mercedes‑Benz C‑Class (Hybrid) – +5.2% (£28,781 → £30,284)
14. Tesla Model 3 (Electric) – +5.2% (£20,666 → £21,740)
15. BMW X1 (Hybrid) – +5.1% (£28,673 → £30,140)
16. Audi S3 Sportback (Petrol) – +4.7% (£28,127 → £29,461)
17. Ford Fiesta (Petrol) – +4.7% (£12,537 → £13,129)
18. Peugeot 208 (Petrol) – +4.5% (£12,334 → £12,885)
19. Volkswagen ID.3 (Electric) – +4.4% (£14,496 → £15,138)
20. Volvo C40 Recharge (Electric) – +4.3% (£19,652 → £20,499)
21. Hyundai i10 (Petrol) – +4.2% (£10,972 → £11,433)
22. Volkswagen ID.4 (Electric) – +4.2% (£17,003 → £17,713)
23. BMW iX (Electric) – +4.2% (£33,932 → £35,350)
24. Volkswagen Polo Hatch (Petrol) – +4.0% (£15,037 → £15,637)
25. MG4 (Electric) – +4.0% (£12,358 → £12,850)

The data confirms that electric vehicles are not only holding value but are also attracting rapid sales, reinforcing their growing role in the UK used‑car market.