March was a strong month for used car sales as days to sell improved and prices continued to dip, according to Cazoo & MOTORS’ Market View.
Car supermarkets sold 24% more stock month-on-month (MoM) and 25% more year-on-year (YoY), while franchised dealers were up 17% MoM and 7% YoY. Independent sales rose 7% MoM, although they declined -8% YoY.
The Market View analysis also shows a robust first quarter with dealers achieving high levels of sales, relative to their stock volumes, in both January and March.
Buyer demand in March saw days to sell drop to 25, five days fewer than February and seven days less than January.
The fastest average sales were achieved by franchised dealers at just 18 days, followed by car supermarkets at 20 days and independents at 43 days. All three retailing sectors achieved MoM and YoY improvements.
March’s fastest selling used car was the Fiat 600 with nearly new petrol models averaging just five days on dealer forecourts.
Overall, buyer interest was boosted by average prices tracking at their lowest rate since last summer, averaging £17,556, down -0.8% (£133) MoM but up 0.9% (£149) YoY. This marked the third consecutive monthly drop in prices after they peaked at £18,102 in December 2025.
Lucy Tugby, Marketing Director of Cazoo & MOTORS, said: “Many dealers experienced a strong March as consumer demand was boosted by good availability and competitive pricing. This was reflected in the best month we’ve recorded for lead generation across the Cazoo & MOTORS platforms.
“Our data shows some strong performances being achieved across all car retailing sectors, with franchised dealers retaining their used car focus during the plate-change.”
Used EV prices dipped to their lowest level at £22,174, down -1.8% (£398) MoM and
-9% (£2,138) YoY, marking the sixth consecutive price drop. Hybrids averaged £23,896, down -0.5% MoM (£122) and -4% (£990) YoY.
Average dealer inventory levels remained unchanged MoM at 52 units, up marginally from 50 units 12 months ago.
Inventory mix by fuel type continues to evolve as the volume of EVs entering the used market increases. Petrol still leads the way accounting for 49% of vehicles stocked by dealers, followed by diesel at 30%, but both continue to lose ground, down YoY at -1% and -10% respectively.
EVs grew their share, accounting for one in 10 vehicles stocked by dealers in March, a new high, marking a 3% increase MoM and 42% leap YoY. Hybrid volumes were unchanged MoM at 11% but up 10% YoY. Collectively EVs and hybrids accounted for one in five vehicles stocked by dealers in March.
Tugby added: “The ongoing price realignment of EVs is making them an affordable consideration for more buyers. This is reflected in the growing volumes being listed on our platforms, with March seeing an increase in models from new entrant brands such as Jaecoo and Chery, as well as established players such as Tesla.”
Over the course of Q1 franchised dealers increased their total stock volumes by 3% compared to the same period in 2025, while car supermarkets were down 4% and independents were down 1%.
The same YoY quarterly analysis also shows the proportion of alternative fuel cars stocked by dealers increased from 17% to 21%. The volume of EVs stocked by dealers increased 37%, with hybrids up 9%, while prices dropped by 7% and 3% respectively.