Used car market gains pace as independents lead the way
Blythe Margetts
Thu Feb 12, 2026 • 3 min read
The UK used car market has opened the year positively, with independent dealers outperforming thanks to faster sales and firmer prices. Demand is rising for older, more affordable cars, while EVs are gaining share despite falling prices. As more buyers choose used over new, value and long-term protection are becoming key priorities.
The UK used car market has started the year on a positive note, with independent dealers outperforming the wider retail sector as buyer confidence returns and advertising strategies evolve.
According to the latest Motors & Cazoo Market View, January saw independents benefit from faster sales, firmer prices and increased stock visibility, as more dealers widened where they advertise their vehicles.
Faster sales and stronger prices for independents
Independent dealers enjoyed a particularly strong January, with Motors reporting a 14% year-on-year increase in the number of vehicles listed by independents on its marketplace.
Crucially, independents were also the only retail sector to reduce days-to-sell month-on-month. Cars sold by independent dealers spent an average of 42 days on physical and digital forecourts in January - a notable improvement from 52 days in December.
Prices followed a similar upward trend. The average retail price of cars sold by independents rose 1.4% month-on-month, increasing by £192 to £13,902. Year-on-year, prices climbed 6.2%, up £816.
This contrasts with other retail sectors, where prices softened:
- Franchised dealers: down 1.5% year-on-year to £23,113
- Car supermarkets: down 1.2% year-on-year to £16,919
Older cars see the biggest price growth
One of the standout trends was the growing demand for older used cars - a segment that’s particularly relevant for value-conscious buyers.
- Cars aged over five years rose 4.7% year-on-year to £13,731
- Cars aged over 10 years jumped 8.8% to £7,375
With rising new car prices and longer ownership cycles, more drivers are choosing to keep their cars for longer - making reliability and protection increasingly important.
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Why independents are gaining ground
Commenting on the data, Lucy Tugby, Marketing Director at Motors & Cazoo, said seasonal trends played a role as buyers returned to the market after December’s slowdown.
However, the key differentiator was how independent dealers adapted, with many choosing to advertise across a wider mix of platforms to reach more buyers. Motors also reported record levels of traffic and leads across both its marketplace and the Cazoo website and app, benefitting dealers across all sectors.
The wider used car market snapshot
Across the market in January:
- Average used car price: £17,815
- Down 1.6% month-on-month
- Up 1.3% year-on-year
- Average stock levels: 54 units
- Average days to sell: 35 days, up from 31 in December
Nearly new cars (under six months old with fewer than 5,000 miles) were the fastest movers. The quickest sellers included:
- MG3 - 7.4 days
- Vauxhall Frontera EV – 9.7 days
- MG ZS petrol - 10.2 days
EV's grow in share - but prices continue to fall
Electrified vehicles continued to gain momentum, with EVs and hybrids reaching a record 20% share of dealer sales, up from 17.2% a year earlier.
However, EV prices softened again:
- Average EV price fell 3% month-on-month to £23,423
- Down 7.2% year-on-year (£1,823)
- EVs are now cheaper on average than hybrids, priced at £24,129
As more electric vehicles enter the used market, buyers are benefiting from greater choice and improved affordability.
What this means for used car buyers
With independent dealers selling more cars - particularly older and better-value vehicles - many buyers are finding attractive alternatives to buying new. However, as cars age, the risk of unexpected repair costs increases.
That’s why more drivers are choosing to protect their purchase with a comprehensive used car warranty, helping cover the cost of unexpected mechanical and electrical faults and providing reassurance long after driving away from the forecourt.
As the used car market continues to gather momentum in 2026, smart buyers aren’t just looking at the price - they’re thinking about long-term ownership confidence too.
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