Hybrids leave EVs behind with strong demand and prices
The demand for used hybrid cars continues to grow as dealers remain cautious about stocking EVs and drivers remain cautious about buying used EVs, according to the online car auction website Autorola UK.
Hybrids have been the standout fuel type on Autorola’s MarketPlace wholesale auction platform between January and June with prices rising by £321 (1.5%) to £21,707 at an average of 32 months and 21,632 miles. During the same period prices softened slightly on petrol, diesel and EVs.
Hybrids leave EVs behind
Hybrids accounted for 17% of the used cars Autorola sold between January and June ahead of diesel (16%) and EVs (4.5%) but way behind petrol which remained the dominant used car fuel type with 62.5% of sales.
As hybrids leave EVs behind, George Fitzpatrick, Autorola UK’s sales director, said:
“While everyone has been locked into analysing EV data, hybrids have quietly been growing in popularity with prices remaining consistent even when supplies have risen.
“Dealers we talk to have confidence in stocking hybrids as an option for the increasing number of consumers looking at a half-way house option between ICE and EVs.”
Used cars getting younger
Another trend which Autorola spotted is the increasing number of younger used cars being sold at auction in 2025 compared with 2024. The average age of diesels has dropped from 43 to 41 months, petrols from 40 to 36 months and hybrids from 35 to 32 months since the beginning of January 2025. Only EVs have risen in age in the first six months of 2025 from 27 to 35 months.
Fitzpatrick (pictured below) continued: “We believe drivers are getting out of used cars early in response to OEMs pushing aggressive new car sales with attractive finance offers and discounts. We are also starting to see some pre-registration activity in the market as OEMs clear their stocks during summer and in the run up to the new registration in September.
“This summer we are already moving towards a buyer’s new car market, but this hasn’t affected the demand for and prices of typical two, three and four-year old used stock.”
