Used Electric Car Values Climb as UK Fuel Prices Surge
Used electric car values in the UK have bounced back as petrol and diesel prices climb. A three-year-old MINI Cooper Electric with 30,000 miles (48,280 km) is now worth 28.3 per cent more than six months ago, according to Solera CAP HPI data published by Auto Express on 3 November.
Key takeaways
- The MINI Cooper Electric gained £2,805 in trade value, reaching £12,710 in November 2026.
- The Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2 both rose 20.9 per cent.
- Diesel now costs around £2 a litre, and petrol averages more than 170p.
- Carwow saw electric car enquiries rise 28 per cent between March and the end of September 2026.
The ten biggest risers
The figures below are average trade values for a three-year-old car with 30,000 miles, comparing November 2026 with six months earlier.
| Model | Six months ago | Latest value | Rise |
|---|---|---|---|
| MINI Cooper Electric (2019-24) | £9,905 | £12,710 | 28.3% |
| Tesla Model 3 (2019-24) | £18,375 | £22,188 | 20.9% |
| Polestar 2 (2019 on) | £18,057 | £21,822 | 20.9% |
| Cupra Born (2021 on) | £15,475 | £18,555 | 19.9% |
| Subaru Solterra (2022 on) | £13,350 | £15,925 | 19.3% |
| MG5 (2020-25) | £9,025 | £10,731 | 18.9% |
| Kia e-Niro (2018-23) | £12,867 | £15,233 | 18.4% |
| Volkswagen ID.3 (2020-24) | £12,648 | £14,870 | 17.6% |
| Peugeot E-208 (2019 on) | £9,593 | £11,262 | 17.4% |
| MG4 (2022 on) | £11,355 | £13,110 | 15.4% |
In cash terms the Tesla Model 3 gained the most, £3,813, just ahead of the Polestar 2 at £3,765.
Why values are recovering
Fuel prices are the main driver. Diesel at about £2 per litre is now typical, petrol averages more than 170p, and electricity is getting dearer as well, with the Ofgem price cap up 3.6 per cent. Charging at home on a cheap overnight tariff still keeps electric running costs low, and buyers have noticed. Carwow, a sister site of Auto Express, recorded a 28 per cent rise in EV enquiries from March to the end of September 2026, while enquiries for diesel cars fell 33 per cent.
Chris Plumb, head of valuations at Solera CAP HPI, sees the increase as a recovery from very low levels after steep early depreciation, and he cautions against calling it a runaway market.
Still affordable to buy
Even after the rises, popular small EVs remain cheap to buy. Plumb puts a used MINI Electric at about £12,700, a Peugeot E-208 at about £11,300 and an MG4 at just over £13,000 in November 2026. Running costs will change later in the decade, as the eVED pay-per-mile tax for electric cars and plug-in hybrids starts in April 2028.
What it means for you
If you plan to sell a three-year-old EV, values are now well above where they were in spring 2026. Buyers still have plenty of choice around £11,000 to £15,000, but should ask for a battery health report and check how much battery warranty remains. When comparing running costs with a petrol car, include the pay-per-mile charge that applies from April 2028.
See our pick of the best used electric cars or read about the MINI Hatch generations.
Sources
- Auto Express: Used electric car prices bounce by up to 28% as fuel costs surge (3 Nov 2026) (accessed 4 Nov 2026)
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