Used car retail values experience first monthly dip of 2026 as EVs buck the trend, reports Cazana
Used car retail values dipped in September 2026, marking the first monthly price drop recorded all year, according to the latest market data analysis by automotive data specialist Cazana.
Average retail values at the key three-year age point fell slightly by 0.2% (approximately £50); however, Cazana emphasises that this adjustment must be viewed in context following August’s 0.5% growth, meaning the reduction has not erased recent value gains.
In contrast, older models showed continued demand and resilience, with values at both the five-year and ten-year age points rising by 0.2% (modest gains of £10 and £20), reflecting steady appetite for budget-friendly stock among retail buyers.
The minor downward shift in three-year-old values would have been significantly more severe without sustained strength in the EV sector. For the sixth consecutive month, EVs led all fuel types in percentage gains, rising by 1.6% (c.£330) at the three-year mark.
In recent months, three-year-old EVs have surged by an average 9.1% (nearly £2,000) as more accessible pricing relative to internal combustion engine (ICE) cars and soaring pump prices drive consumer adoption. Conversely, mainstream fuel types saw price declines, with petrol down 0.5%, hybrids down 0.3%, and diesel hit hardest, down 1.8% as pump prices climbed past £2.00 per litre.
Cazana’s data shows dealers are becoming more cautious about holding diesel inventory, with diesels now representing just over 3% of three-year-old forecourt stock, while EVs have expanded to 13%.
As expected during a plate-change month, stock volumes for three-year-old cars increased across retail networks. The market also logged significant pre-registration activity, with over 2,500 ‘76’ plate vehicles advertised on retail sites by the end of September.
The highest pre-registration volumes were concentrated among Peugeot (440 units), Vauxhall (350 units), and Volvo (340 units), suggesting manufacturers are actively pushing non-demand-led volume.
Turnover rates highlighted strong consumer interest in specific alternative-fuel and practical family models. The fastest-selling cars in September were the Kia Sportage HEV and Renault Megane E-Tech, both averaging just 15 days on forecourts, followed by the Peugeot 5008 and Toyota Aygo at 19 days.
German premium brands saw mixed movement, with Audi recording the largest drop among major brands at -2.4%, while Mercedes-Benz fell 1.2%. BMW bucked the luxury trend with a 1.1% increase. Volume and Asian brands Toyota (+3.2%), Kia (+2.4%), and Renault (+2.1%) delivered strong gains.
Major Chinese brands drove volume in the new car market, led by the Jaecoo 7, while the used sector remained stable, with steady pricing across BYD, Chery, Omoda, Jaecoo, and MG.
By body style, hatchbacks gained 0.7% despite representing a smaller share of the EV market. SUVs dropped slightly by 0.5%, while saloons, estates, and MPVs all declined by approximately 1.0%.
Pricing strategies varied significantly across retail channels. Car supermarkets were the most bullish, raising prices by an average of 1.7%. Main dealers held prices static, while independent retailers reduced asking prices by 0.9%.
Automotive expert at Cazana, Derren Martin, said: “The used car retail market in September saw the first signs of pressure for some time, as volumes increased from new-plate activity, particularly for internal-combustion engine cars.
“Electric vehicles continue to be sought after; however, petrol and diesel prices at the pumps are causing consumers to accelerate on their EV journey. Diesel cars dropped the most in price, and dealers need to be careful when considering what to pay for these as part-exchanges, or whether to stock them at all.
“It will be interesting to see how the market copes in the final quarter of the year and whether prices will continue to drop, particularly as new car offers and pre-registration activity from traditional and new brands may be particularly enticing as manufacturers chase volume and market share targets.”