Data Dashboard
A snapshot of the latest UK automotive retail,
production & wholesale data.
production & wholesale data.
Cars
3.5%
Dec 2025 (YoY)
| Forecast | Upside | Baseline | Downside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volume | 2.23m | 2.08m | 1.89m |
| % Change | 10.4% | 2.9% | -6.4% |
Every quarter, we combine our proprietary market insights with the latest new car registration data to create three new car market forecast scenarios for the next 12 months.
These include an upside, baseline and downside scenario, each reflecting different macroeconomic, policy and industry conditions that could shape the outlook for the remainder of the year and the total new car registrations.
Upside scenario:
Cox Automotive’s upside new car market forecast benchmarks the total registrations to reach 2.23 million in 2026, which would represent a 10.4% increase year-on-year.
Baseline scenario:
Cox Automotive’s baseline new car market forecast benchmarks the total registrations to reach 2.08 million in 2026, which would represent a 2.9% increase year-on-year.
Downside scenario:
Cox Automotive’s downside new car market forecast benchmarks the total registrations to reach 1.89 million in 2026, which would represent a 6.4% decrease year-on-year.
Source: Cox Automotive (Insight Quarterly)
2.8%
Q3 2025 (YoY)
In Q3 2025, there were 2,021,265 used car sales recorded, which is 2.8% higher than in October 2024.
There have been 6,038,371 used car sales this year to date, which represents 2.4% growth year-on-year.
Source: SMMT
| Forecast | Upside | Baseline | Downside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volume | 8.03m | 7.83m | 7.36m |
| % Change | 3.5% | 0.9% | -5.2% |
Every quarter, we combine our proprietary market insights with the latest used vehicle data to create our used car market forecast: three scenarios which forecast the industry’s performance for the next 12 months.
These include an upside, baseline and downside scenario, each reflecting different macroeconomic, policy and industry conditions that could shape the remainder of the year and the total used car sales.
Upside scenario:
Cox Automotive’s upside forecast benchmarks total used car sales to reach 8.03 million in 2026, which would represent a 3.5% increase year-on-year.
Baseline scenario:
Cox Automotive’s baseline forecast benchmarks total used car sales to reach 7.83 million in 2026, which would represent a 0.9% increase year-on-year.
Downside scenario:
Cox Automotive’s upside forecast benchmarks total used car sales to reach 7.36 million in 2026, which would represent a 5.2% decrease year-on-year.
Source: Cox Automotive (Insight Quarterly)
1.7%
Nov 2025 (MoM)
In October, the UK’s vehicle manufacturing industry produced 51,090 vehicles, which is 27.1% lower than the same period in 2024.
This year to date, the industry has manufactured 543,099 which is an 8.4% reduction on the previous year.
Source: SMMT
£282
Dec 2025 (MoM)
The potential retail margin that can be achieved on vehicles bought via Dealer Auction’s open network.
The average retail margin on cars sold in December was £2,181, which is £282 lower than the previous month.
Source: Dealer Auction
0.3%
Dec 2025 (MoM)
Demand is a measure of consumer response to Autotrader’s car adverts.
Retail demand decreased by 0.3% month-on-month in December 2025.
Source: Auto Trader
2.5
Dec 2025 (MoM)
The level of available stock in the market, according to Autotrader.
Retail supply decreased by 2.5% month-on-month in December 2025.
Source: Auto Trader
2.1
Dec 2025 (MoM)
Retail market health tracks balance between supply and demand indicating whether the used car market is stronger or weaker than previously, according to Autotrader.
Retail market health declined by 2.1% month-on-month in December 2025.
Source: Auto Trader
7 days
Dec 2025 (MoM)
A measure of speed of sale for franchised dealers used cars advertised on Auto Trader.
The average days to sell in December were 35, which is higher than in previous months.
Source: Auto Trader
£1,125
Dec 2025 (MoM)
In October, the average sold price of used cars was £7,838, which is £1,125 lower than the previous month.
Source: Manheim Auction Services
2.5
Dec 2025 (MoM)
The average milage of used cars sold at Manheim Auction Services.
The average milage of used cars sold at Manheim Auction Services in December 2025 was 67,500.
Source: Manheim Auction Services
2.8
Dec 2025 (MoM)
The average age of used car sales at Manheim Auction Services.
The average age of used cars sold at Manheim Auction Services in October 2025 was 98.8 months.
Source: Manheim Auction Services
4%
Dec 2025 (MoM)
The percentage of used cars sold the first time they appear at auction.
78.4% of used cars sold first time at Manheim Auction Services in December 2025, a 4% decrease from November.
Source: Manheim Auction Services
0.7
The average change in the cap value for three-year-old and 60,000 mile cars. In December 2025, these decreased by 0.7%.
Source: cap HPI
2
Dec 2025
Manheim’s wholesale market health tracks the balance between supply and demand in the used vehicle market, indicating whether the wholesale car market is stronger or weaker than the year prior. It is measured on a scale of one to 100.
In December 2025, the wholesale car market health was scored at 86.
Source: Manheim Auction Services
22.8
Dec 2025 (MoM)
This index tracks the supply of wholesale cars since the start of 2025.
Wholesale supply in December 2025 was indexed at 133.4, a 22.8 point increase from November.
Source: Manheim Auction Services
1.5
Dec 2025 (MoM)
This index tracks the demand for wholesale cars since the start of 2025.
Wholesale supply in October 2025 was indexed at 115.1, an 1.5 point increase from September.
Source: Manheim Auction Services
Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs)
1.7%
Dec 2025 (MoM)
In December 2025, there were 27,694 new LCV registrations, which is 1.7% higher than in November 2025.
There have been 315,422 new LCV registrations in 2025 to date, which represents 10.3% decrease year-on-year.
Source: SMMT
78%
Nov 2025 (MoM)
In November 2025, there were 2,806 LCVs manufactured in the UK, which is -14% lower than October 2025.
There were 45,058 LCVs manufactured in the UK this year to date, which is 78% lower than in 2024.
Source: SMMT
£1,030
Dec 2025 (MoM)
The average sold price for used LCVs in December 2025 was £8,840.
Source: Manheim Auction Services
3.4
Dec 2025 (MoM)
The average milage of used LCV's sold at Manheim Auction Services.
The average milage of used LCV's sold at Manheim Auction Services in December 2025 was 75,400 miles.
Source: Manheim Auction Services
9.2
Dec 2025 (MoM)
The average age of used LCV's sold at Manheim Auction Services.
The average age of used LCV's sold at Manheim Auction Services in December 2025 was 67 months.
Source: Manheim Auction Services
-1.4%
Oct 2025 (MoM)
Used LCVs sold in December 2025 achieved an average of 97.8% of cap, which is 1.4% lower than the previous month.
Source: Manheim Auction Services
5.4%
The average change in the cap value for three-year-old and 60,000 mile cars. In December 2025, these increased by 5.4%
Source: cap HPI
1.4%
Dec 2025 (MoM)
The percentage of used cars sold the first time they appear at auction.
83.3% of used cars sold first time at Manheim Auction Services in December 2025, a 1.2% decrease from November.
Source: Manheim Auction Services
Electric Vehicles (EVs)
8%
Dec 2025 (YoY)
There were 47,130 new electric vehicles registered in December 2025, which is 8% higher than December 2024.
There have been 473,348 new electric vehicles registered in 2025 to date, which represents 23.9% growth year-on-year
Source: SMMT
£68
Dec 2025 (MoM)
The potential retail margin that can be achieved on electric vehicles bought via Dealer Auction’s open network.
Electric vehicles delivered an average retail margin of £2,850 to retailers in December 2025.
Source: Dealer Auction
9.9%
Dec 2025 (MoM)
Demand is a measure of consumer response to Autotrader’s used electric vehicle adverts.
Retail demand for used electric vehicles decreased by 9.9% month-on-month in December 2025.
Source: Auto Trader
8.4%
Dec 2025 (MoM)
The level of used electric vehicle stock in the market, according to Autotrader.
Retail supply of used electric vehicles decreased by 8.4% month-on-month in December 2025.
Source: Auto Trader
2.0
Dec 2025 (MoM)
Retail market health tracks the balance between supply and demand indicating whether the used electric vehicle market is stronger or weaker than previously, according to Autotrader.
Electric vehicle market health declined by 2% month-on-month in December 2025.
Source: Auto Trader
5
Oct 2025 (MoM)
A measure of the speed of sale for dealers’ used electric vehicles advertised on Autotrader.
The average days to sell in December was 29, this is a 5 day increase from 24 days in October.
Source: Auto Trader
£123
Dec 2025 (MoM)
The average sold price for used electric vehicles at Manheim Auction Services in December 2025 was £13,553, which is £123 lower than November.
Source: Manheim Auction Services
0.6
Dec 2025 (MoM)
The average milage of used electric vehicles sold at Manheim Auction Services.
The average milage of used electric vehicles sold at Manheim Auction Services in December 2025 was 31,600 miles.
Source: Manheim Auction Services
0.6
Dec 2025 (MoM)
The average milage of used electric vehicles sold at Manheim Auction Services.
The average milage of used electric vehicles sold at Manheim Auction Services in December 2025 was 41.7 months.
Source: Manheim Auction Services
4%
Dec 2025 (MoM)
The percentage of used electric vehicles sold the first time they appear at auction.
In December 2025, 83.7% of used electric vehicles sold first time, which is 4% higher than November.
Source: Manheim Auction Services
Q4 2025
"The rise to 2.02 million registrations highlights a gradual recovery in the market, but this is built on fragile foundations. Heavy reliance on EV-led growth suggest underlying demand remains weaker than the totals imply. At the same time, residual value pressures continue to unsettle the used EV market and concerns persist that tactical activity and the rapid expansion of Chinese brands were essential to achieving 2025 growth.
The reliance on external forces and discount-led EV uptake risks may mask deeper structural challenges that could constrain the sector’s performance in the year ahead.
The sector enters 2026 with renewed energy but there is a clear need for stability and confidence across both new and used markets."
Philip Nothard - Insight & Strategy Director
9th January 2026
Insights Quarterly Report
Our IQ report keeps you updated on the latest in the automotive
industry with a mix of forecasts, market analysis, and articles on key
trends and developments. Click below to read the latest issue
In December 2025, there were 146,249 new car registrations, which is 3.9% higher than in December 2024.
There have been 2,020,520 new car registrations in 2025 to date, which represents 3.5% growth year-on-year.
Source: SMMT