The Volkswagen Golf was the most searched for used car in 2025, displacing the Ford Fiesta from its long held top spot, in what proved to be a generally stable year for the market.
According to the latest Market View analysis from MOTORS & Cazoo, the Golf accounted for nearly 3% of online searches, followed by the Fiesta and Focus. Another movement in the top five saw the BMW 3 Series rising to number four at the expense of the fifth placed Vauxhall Corsa.
The most viewed electric car remained the Tesla Model 3, accounting for over 8% of online EV searches in 2025, with the Nissan Leaf second and Jaguar I-Pace third, both unchanged from 2024. The Tesla Model Y climbed from seventh to fourth place, while the Renault Zoe dropped one spot to fifth.
Ford retained its position as the most popular brand for used car buyers in 2025, accounting for 11% of all searches, followed by Volkswagen, BMW and Audi. With Mercedes-Benz replacing Vauxhall in fifth place.
Lucy Tugby, Marketing Director of MOTORS & Cazoo, said: “2025 proved to be another year of stability for the used car market with demand holding up, despite the ongoing economic challenges faced by many buyers.
“Our Market View data for the year shows consistent levels of positive online engagement, with an encouraging increase in searches from Boxing Day and into the first week of January.”
The average price of a used car in December was £18,102, up 3% (or £511) since January, with the rise driven by small month-on-month (MoM) increases throughout the final quarter.
Petrol was the only fuel type to end the year stronger than it started, rising 0.8% (or £141) from £16,564 in January to £16,705 in December. While diesel dipped just 0.2% (£37) to £14,978.
Alternatively Fuelled Vehicles dropped more significantly with EVs down 4.3% (or £1,104) from £25,246 to £24,142 and hybrids down 2.9% (or £740) from £25,092 to £24,352.
Days to sell remained steady across the final quarter of the year averaging 31 in December, compared to 29 in November and 32 in October.
Tugby added: “The ongoing alignment of EV values saw prices drop below hybrids in December, a trend we first identified in February, making the decision to stock used EVs more attractive for a growing number of car retailers.”
Overall, dealers maintained consistent stock levels throughout 2025 and followed seasonal trends with increases in the final month to an average of 58 units, two more than December 2024.
This restocking, in preparation for the New Year surge, was evident among both car supermarkets, up 10 units MoM to 225, and franchised dealers, up six units MoM to 69. While independent dealers held steady at 38 units.