Used EV Sales Overtake Diesels for the First Time
New figures from cinch, the UK’s biggest online used car retailer, have revealed that EVs now account for more car sales than diesels.
The new data shows that 16% of cinch’s total sales in August 2025 were electric cars, while diesels accounted for 13%. This is in stark contrast to August 2024, when EVs made up just 10% of all sales and diesels accounted for 19%.
‘Driven by consumer demand’
Abhishek Sampat, head of electric vehicles at cinch, said: “EVs used to be a relatively niche choice in the used car market, but not anymore. One in every six cars we sell is now an EV, and the uptake is growing each month.
“We sold 66 different EV models in August – up from 47 during the same period in 2024. The variety of vehicles now available – from family-friendly SUVs to small, affordable hatchbacks – is being driven by consumer demand.”
cinch, which regularly has over 10,000 cars in stock, has also revealed its top-selling EVs so far in 2025.
The Tesla Model 3 took top spot, followed by one of the most recognisable EVs on Britain’s streets: Nissan’s LEAF.
- Tesla Model 3
- Nissan LEAF
- MINI Hatchback
- Vauxhall Corsa-E
- Kia e-Niro
- Volkswagen ID.3
- Hyundai Kona
- Renault ZOE
- Vauxhall Mokka-e
- Jaguar I-Pace
Fast-movers
It’s not just in overall sales that EVs are stealing a march on traditionally fuelled cars. In August 2025, EVs sold at a rate 43% faster than diesels and 29% faster than petrol cars on cinch.
The leading online used car retailer has also revealed its fastest-selling EVs so far in 2025.
Top 10 fastest-selling EVs on cinch (Jan-Aug 2025):
- Škoda Enyaq IV
- Renault ZOE
- MG ZS EV
- Citroën ë-C4
- Hyundai Kona
- Kia e-Niro
- MINI Hatchback
- Peugeot E-2008
- Tesla Model Y
- Tesla Model 3
More choice, lower prices
The emergence of new brands such as BYD and OMODA, coupled with more traditional brands pivoting production to electric, means a healthy level of price competition between manufacturers in new cars. And it’s a similar story on the used market.
Despite increased levels of inflation during the last 12 months, the average price of an EV on cinch fell by 3% – to just under £16,000.
The cheapest EV sold on cinch in August 2025 was a £7,000 smart forfour, while the most expensive was a Porsche Taycan at just over £51,000.
Sampat said: “Many buyers are still looking for a diesel, and there are good reasons for doing so, but if a barrier to going electric has been the price of the car – it may be time to reconsider.
“The average price of an EV has come down in the last 12 months, driven by lots of new models launching at the value end of the market.
“In fact, the average sold price of an EV on cinch during August 2025 was actually 4% cheaper than the average price of a diesel.”