Daily Mail·United Kingdom·Friday, October 30, 2026 at 07:00 AM UTC

These 10 used electric cars have soared in value in the past six months due to higher cost of fuel

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Rob Hull

The value of some used electric cars has surged over the past six months as demand has increased in the wake of escalating fuel prices.

After years of electric vehicles being pummelled by painful depreciation that wiped tens of thousands of pounds from their values within months of them entering the road, the price of second-hand EVs has taken a major U-turn.

With diesel hitting £2-a-litre earlier this month and still hovering around 198p, while petrol remains well above 170p-a-litre, more drivers are considering battery-powered cars as a way to avoid soaring fuel costs that are putting a strain on household budgets.

This growth in appetite for EVs has pushed second-hand values up by as much as 28 per cent in the last six months, experts say.

The biggest winner is the Mini Electric. A three-year-old example with 30,000 miles was worth £9,905 in April, shortly after conflict between the US, Israel and Iran triggered a spike in oil and fuel prices.

Today, the same car is valued at £12,710, representing a increase of £2,805.

Despite these significant gains in a short period, valuation experts at Solera cap hpi say three-year-old used EVs still represent excellent value for money.

That's because the rise in prices over the last six months has not reversed the sharp depreciation that initially strips value from new electric cars shortly after they leave showrooms.

Some used electric cars have seen a surge in value in the last six months due to the rocketing price of petrol and diesel. We reveal the biggest risers

Other significant second-hand gainers since the spring include the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2.

Both have recorded value growth of 21 per cent over the last six months.

In cash terms, the Tesla is worth £3,813 more than it was in April, rising to £22,188, while the Polestar has increased £3,765 to reach £21,822.

Other strong performers include the Cupra Born, up 20 per cent, and the Subaru Solterra SUV, which has also gained more than a fifth in value over the same period.

Even relatively inexpensive used electric cars are benefiting, with the Peugeot e-208 rising 17 per cent to £11,262 and the MG4 climbing 15 per cent to £13,110.

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Chris Plumb, head of current valuations at Solera cap hpi, said this is not a trend across the board and warned against interpreting the increases as evidence of runaway used EV prices.

'Many models suffered substantial falls in value before the recent recovery and remain much cheaper than when new,' he said.

'What we're really seeing is a recovery from previously depressed positions rather than a market running away with itself.

'In many cases, these vehicles still represent excellent value for money and are becoming increasingly attractive to used car buyers as confidence in EVs continues to improve.'

Toby Poston, chief executive of the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association, says stronger demand is 'helping to stabilise used EV values, which is good news too for existing owners and the leasing companies who have already invested heavily in electrifying their fleets'.

Ginny Buckley, founder of the EV website Electrifying.com, added: 'The idea that electric cars don't hold their value is looking increasingly outdated.'

TEN BIGGEST USED EV PRICE RISERS

The first-generation Mini Electric has seen the biggest increase in used value for three-year-old examples due to soaring fuel costs, rising 28% - or £2,800 - in the last six months

1. Mini Cooper Electric (2019-2024) - up 28.3%/£2,805

Used price in April*: £9,905

Used price today*: £12,710

The biggest used EV riser in the last six months is the first-generation Mini Electric, which went out of production in 2024 and has since been replaced by an updated model.

The retro-inspired supermini was one of the most stylish small EVs when it arrived on the market, though rear passenger space is limited and the boot is relatively small.

Its range is modest, too.

Officially rated at 145 miles, real-world winter driving is more likely to deliver around 100 miles between charges.

The Tesla Model 3 is another example of a used EV that's rising in price due to greater demand linked to the higher cost of filling up with fuel

2. Tesla Model 3 (2019-2024) - up 20.9%/£3,813

Used price in April*: £18,375

Used price today*: £22,188

Teslas suffered heavy depreciation a few years ago due to weakening EV demand and repeated cuts to new-car prices by the American manufacturer.

With a spacious cabin, impressive performance and an official range of between 305 and 358 miles depending on specification, it remains a highly capable family car.

The Polestar 2 is a strong alternative to the Tesla Model 3. It has plenty of room for the family and a 2023 example offers an official range of up to 406 miles

3. Polestar 2 (2019-present) - up 20.9%/£3,765

Used price in April*: £18,057

Used price today*: £21.822

The 2 was Polestar's first mainstream production model and quickly established itself as a credible rival to the Tesla Model 3.

A three-year-old example first registered in 2023 offers an official range of between 292 and 406 miles, depending on version, which should be more than sufficient for most drivers.

The Cupra Born is a sportier spin-off of the VW ID.3 hatchback. It has room for the family and an official range of up to 340 miles

4. Cupra Born (2021-present) - up 19.9%/£3,080

Used price in April*: £15,475

Used price today*: £18,555

Cupra's take on the VW ID.3 is a sporty family hatchback with a more youthful appeal.

A three-year-old example registered in 2023 offers an official range of between 233 and 343 miles, making it an attractive second-hand family car for comfortably less than £20,000.

Subaru's Solterra is a rebadged Toyota bZ4X SUV with a range of up to 289 miles on paper. Prices have risen by more than £2,500 in the last six months

5. Subaru Solterra (2022-present) - up 19.3%/£2,575

Used price in April*: £13,350

Used price today*: £15,925

The Subaru Solterra is effectively a rebadged Toyota bZ4X. It has an official range of between 257 and 289 miles, meaning it should comfortably cover a week's worth of driving for many owners.

It's also a spacious SUV, making it a practical option for larger families.

The used MG5 offers second-hand buyers the option of an EV in a highly practical estate body style, with a generous boot and a real-world range of around 200 miles

6. MG5 (2020-2025) - up 18.9%/£1,706

Used price in April*: £9,025

Used price today*: £10,731

The MG5, which went off sale last year, remains a rare proposition in the used market thanks to its combination of electric power and estate-car practicality.

A 2023 model offers an official range of between 235 miles in Trophy trim and 250 miles in SE specification. With a 479-litre boot and a price tag of just over £10,000, even after a 19 per cent increase in value, it represents excellent value for money.

A three-year-old Kia e-Niro with 30,000 miles on the clock would have cost around £12,900 in April. Fast forward to October and its value has climbed to more than £15,200

7. Kia e-Niro (2018-2023) - up 18.4%/£2,367

Used price in April*: £12,867

Used price today*: £15,233

Kia's e-Niro was replaced by the current Niro Electric in 2023, though the earlier model remains a highly regarded electric family car.

It combines an official range of 285 miles with a roomy interior and a well-appointed cabin.

The 17% increase in used VW ID.3 prices is further evidence that cost-conscious families are considering electric cars to reduce their motoring bills

8. Volkswagen ID.3 (2020-2024) - up 17.6%/£2,222

Used price in April*: £12,648

Used price today*: £14,870

The ID.3 was Volkswagen's first dedicated electric car developed from the ground up under its ID sub-brand.

Even a three-year-old example remains a strong family-car choice. With an official range of up to 266 miles, it should comfortably deliver a typical week of commuting between charges. It's also spacious and solidly built.

The Peugeot e-208 is one of the stronger small EV options, combining a mature-feeling interior with a respectable driving range

9. Peugeot e-208 (2019-present) - up 17.4%/£1,668

Used price in April*: £9,593

Used price today*: £11,262

The Peugeot e-208 has been on sale for several years and has benefited from a number of updates throughout its production life.

A three-year-old example first registered in 2023 offers up to 226 miles of official range, making it a practical electric supermini.

The MG4 is MG's best-selling electric-only model. Spacious and offering up to 270 miles of range, it remains an affordable second-hand family car

10. MG4 (2022-present) - up 15.4%/£1,755

Used price April*: £11,355

Used price today*: £13,110

The MG4 is MG's best-selling electric-only model, having first arrived in 2022.

Depending on specification, a three-year-old example offers between 218 and 270 miles of official range.

While that falls short of some rival family hatchbacks in this list, the MG4 remains popular thanks to its practicality, value and surprisingly engaging driving dynamics.

*price based on three-year-old example with 30,000 miles and trade value

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