Why is Used EV Stock Jumping and Buyer Interest Doubling? New Cazoo Data Shows

Growth in Used EV Listings

Dealer forecourts across the UK are seeing a noticeable rise in electric‑vehicle stock. According to Cazoo’s latest Market View, EVs accounted for 7.5% of all used cars listed in August. That represents an 8% increase on the previous month and a 17.5% uplift compared with August last year. The upward trend has been steady since May, with electric, hybrid and plug‑in hybrid models together now making up almost one in five cars stocked by dealers.

Which Brands Are Leading the Charge?

Within the growing electric segment, Tesla is the most heavily stocked brand on Cazoo, thanks to a larger supply of used Model Y and Model 3 vehicles. Following Tesla are MG, Vauxhall, BMW and Hyundai, each contributing to the expanding EV presence on forecourts.

Buyer Search Behaviour Mirrors Supply

Search activity on the platform mirrors the increase in stock. In August, EV‑related searches rose to 3.6% of all buyer queries, more than double the 1.7% recorded a year earlier. Hybrid searches also grew, moving from 5.4% to 6.9% of total searches.

Despite the surge in electric interest, traditional fuel types still dominate. Petrol remains the most popular, although its share of views fell from 51.1% to 45.2% year‑on‑year. Diesel, in contrast, nudged up from 41.8% to 44.3%.

Price Trends Across the Used‑Car Market

Overall, the average advertised price for a used car on Cazoo edged up by £33 – a modest 0.2% rise month‑on‑month – reaching £17,424**. This price is still 1.5% lower than a year ago.

Different retail formats saw varied movements:

• Car supermarkets recorded the biggest monthly rise, with average prices climbing 1.6% to £16,725.
• Franchised dealers posted a 0.9% increase to £22,491.
• Independent dealers saw a slight 0.3% dip to £14,204, although this remains 9.4% above the level recorded in August last year.

At the model level, older petrol Ford Fiestas (12‑14 years old) posted a 3.3% price rise to an average of £4,677, while six‑to‑eight‑year‑old diesel Range Rover Evoques fell 3.3% to £14,118.

Inventory Levels and Brand Visibility

Dealer inventories stayed broadly steady, with the average number of cars on forecourt slipping from 58 in July to 57 in August – still above the 54‑car average recorded a year earlier.

In terms of online interest, Ford emerged as the most viewed brand on Cazoo during August, ahead of Volkswagen, Mercedes‑Benz, BMW and Vauxhall.

What the Data Means for Dealers

Lucy Tugby, Cazoo’s chief marketing officer, highlighted that “growing buyer interest in EVs, supported by improved availability and stable prices, makes electric models a more accessible consideration for some buyers.” She added that internal‑combustion‑engine (ICE) models continue to dominate dealer inventories and ad views, with diesel remaining a strong draw for many used‑car shoppers despite reduced appeal in the new‑car market.

The stability in pricing and inventory levels, Tugby says, should give retailers “a solid start to September,” especially as the annual plate‑change is expected to generate a fresh wave of buyer activity.

Key Takeaways

• Used EV listings rose to 7.5% of all used cars in August.
• Buyer searches for EVs more than doubled year‑on‑year to 3.6%.
• Average used‑car price increased marginally to £17,424, still below last year’s level.
• Dealer stock levels remain steady, with an average of 57 cars per forecourt.
• Ford leads brand visibility online, while Tesla leads EV stock levels.

These trends suggest that the used‑car market is gradually adapting to stronger electric demand while maintaining a solid base of traditional fuel vehicles.