UK Used Car Prices Stabilise in June 2026 — Three Straight Flat Months
💡 Key Takeaway
Auto Trader's June 2026 Retail Price Index shows used car values flat for a third month after 19 months of falls. What it means for finance buyers.
After nearly two years of falling values, the UK used car market has found its footing. 📊
The latest Auto Trader Retail Price Index for June 2026 shows the average used car priced at £16,780 — down just -0.1% year-on-year on a like-for-like basis.
That tiny figure is bigger news than it looks. It marks the third consecutive month of broadly flat prices, following 19 months of contraction.
Why stability matters for buyers
When prices were falling, buyers sometimes held off, hoping for a better deal next month. That logic no longer applies.
Values have effectively levelled out, which means there's far less reason to delay a purchase waiting for prices to drop further.
For anyone financing a car, stable values also bring a quieter benefit: more predictable equity over the life of an agreement. 👍
The market is moving quickly
Used cars are selling fast. The average vehicle took just 29 days to leave forecourts in June.
That's one day faster than the same time last year and two days faster than in May. Retail sales grew at a healthy 3.2% year-on-year.
A faster-moving market is usually a confident one — dealers are pricing realistically and buyers are responding.
Older, cheaper cars are in demand
One clear trend: shoppers are hunting for affordable stock.
- Demand for cars aged 5–10 years rose 3.4% year-on-year in June
- Interest in cars over a decade old jumped 8% 🚗
With household budgets still stretched, value-for-money is winning. That appetite for older cars is helping support prices across the board.
Used EVs are the standout story
Electric cars continue to reshape the used market. According to Solera cap hpi, used EV volumes are around 50% higher than a year ago.
That surge is being driven by the maturation of fleet and salary-sacrifice registrations now reaching the second-hand market.
Stronger demand is improving value performance for used EVs and helping them sell faster — a real shift from the soft used-EV pricing of recent years. ⚡
What it means if you're buying on finance
A stable, fast-moving market is a reassuring backdrop for a finance purchase.
- Less urgency to wait — prices aren't tumbling, so a good car today is unlikely to be much cheaper next month
- Healthier equity — flatter values reduce the risk of falling deep into negative equity
- Wider choice — strong used-EV supply means more electric options at sensible prices
As always, the headline index is a market average. The car you want, in your area, can move differently — so it pays to research the specific model. 💡
How We Finance Your Asset can help
Based in Reading, Berkshire, and working with drivers across the UK, We Finance Your Asset keeps a close eye on market trends like these so you don't have to.
Whether you're eyeing a nearly-new EV or a sensible older runaround, we'll help you find a finance package that suits your budget and the current market.
Get in touch today and let's find your next car at the right price. 🚗