Record Surge in UK Used Tesla Sales Despite Brand Challenges

UK used Tesla sales hit a record 2,690 units in February 2025, driven by Model 3 demand and falling prices, despite new car sales and brand image challenges.

Used Tesla sales in the UK have reached record levels, despite declining new car sales and growing challenges to the brand's image. In February 2025, car dealers sold 2,690 used Teslas — the highest monthly figure on record, according to Marketcheck. This marks a 112% increase compared to February 2024, when 1,267 units were sold.

The Tesla Model 3 remains the clear leader, consistently accounting for over 70% of used Tesla sales between May 2023 and February 2025, except in July 2023 (68.53%) and December 2024 (69.3%). Meanwhile, the Model Y has significantly gained ground, rising from 5.17% in May 2023 to 21.08% in February 2025. In contrast, the popularity of the Model X and Model S has declined. Model X dropped from 11.33% to 3.53%, while Model S fell from 12.68% to 5.2%.

According to Alastair Campbell, UK strategy lead at Marketcheck, this surge is driven by an influx of ex-company and salary sacrifice Teslas into the used market. “Demand in the used car market remains strong. We expect this growth to continue as more corporate Teslas hit the auctions,” Campbell said.

Falling prices have also boosted demand. The average price of a used Model 3 in the UK dropped from £31,064 to £21,601 over the past 18 months. Some listings on AutoTrader show Model 3 vehicles available from as low as £12,499, making these cars more affordable.

Government policies are also contributing to the boom. In 2024, UK used electric vehicle (EV) sales hit a record 188,382 units, a 57.4% increase year-on-year. Lower prices on popular models like the Model 3 and Kia e-Niro have made EVs increasingly competitive with petrol cars.

Meanwhile, Tesla’s new car sales have slumped. In January 2025, new Tesla registrations across Europe fell by 45%, from 18,161 to 9,945 vehicles. The UK market saw an 18.2% drop, while France plummeted by 63%. Sweden, Norway, and the Netherlands recorded declines of 44%, 38%, and 42%, respectively.

Market observers point to both economic factors and political controversies. Tesla’s share price dropped 9%, worsened by CEO Elon Musk’s controversial salute at a rally supporting Donald Trump. This incident coincided with sharp sales drops across European markets.

Nevertheless, analysts believe that dealers with well-priced used Teslas stand to benefit in the coming months as demand remains robust.

Source: am-online.com