Topic: Vehicle Residual Values

How did European used-car markets perform during October? Was supply and demand balanced? Were residual values (RVs) stable? Autovista24 editor Tom Geggus explores the trends with experts across Europe.

October saw a continuation of this year’s major used-car market trends across Europe. After 36 months and 60,000km, RVs presented as a percentage of retained new-car list price (%RV) fell in all observed countries. This includes Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and the UK.

While declines did not exceed 0.4 percentage points (pp) compared with September, the year-on-year changes were more pronounced. Switzerland saw the greatest drop compared with October 2024, with %RVs down 4.3pp. However, values have been normalising in Europe after COVID-19 halted supply and inflated RVs.

Compared with October 2024, five countries saw the active-market volume index (AMVI) record better results than the sales-volume index (SVI) in their respective locations. This indicates that the supply of 24-to-48-month-old cars outpaced demand across many used-car markets. This trend was less pronounced when comparing October 2025 with September 2025.

However, in Austria, France, Germany, Italy and Spain, these used cars took longer to sell on average month on month. Only Switzerland and the UK saw slightly faster sales rates, though these were marginal improvements of 0.1 and 0.3 days.

Of the observed markets, Switzerland saw the longest average time in stock at 78.5 days. Meanwhile, the UK recorded the fastest turnaround time at 34.4 days. The country is recording a unique trend with battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) taking the smallest number of days to sell. Meanwhile, full hybrids (HEVs) moved the fastest in Austria, France, Spain and Switzerland.

Austria’s persistent used-car headwinds

Austria’s SVI for two-to-four-year-old passenger cars rose by 5.1% in October compared to September. However, year on year, the index declined by 6.6%, reflecting persistent market headwinds.

The AMVI also increased month on month by 5.5%. Yet, compared to October 2024, this was down by 4.1%, indicating a continued supply contraction within this age bracket.

‘The average time needed to sell a used car in October remained stable at 64.9 days. Year on year, this metric improved by 2.1 days, suggesting a modest acceleration in turnover,’ explained Robert Madas, Autovista Group’s regional head of valuations.

Among powertrains, HEVs remained the fastest-selling at 57.5 days, closely followed by diesel at 58 days. Then came petrol vehicles at 62.2 days and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) at 73.7 days. BEVs continued to take the longest time to sell at 84.8 days.

The %RV of 36-month-old cars at 60,000km declined slightly to 47.5% in October. This marked a 0.1pp drop from September and a 2.5pp year-on-year decrease. In absolute terms, the trade RV rose to €22,162.1. This was up 0.8% month on month, and an improvement of 3.1% year-on-year.

HEVs retained the highest trade value at 50.3%, followed by petrol cars at 49.8%. Then came diesel models with 48.4% and PHEVs with 45.1%. Once again, BEVs held the lowest %RV, at 36.7%.

Looking ahead, %RVs are expected to remain stable in Austria until the end of this year. Forecasts suggest a 0.5% increase by the end of 2025 compared to December 2024. Then, a 0.7% decline is expected in 2026, followed by a 0.6% decrease in 2027.

France sees value stability

‘RVs were stable in France during October, with slightly higher list prices and very slight percentage value declines,’ said Ludovic Percier, Autovista Group’s senior RV analyst for France.

Compared with September 2025, all powertrains took longer to sell on average. The SVI also dropped year on year as the used-car market reacted to a complicated economic climate.

Petrol-powered cars followed the month’s general trend, while diesel %RVs increased very slightly compared with September. These used models are still in demand in France despite the number of new internal-combustion engine (ICE) registrations shrinking.

HEVs were once again the fastest-selling powertrain. Used models are in increasing demand in France, but carmakers cannot risk adding big price premiums to these units. This would jeopardise the powertrain’s RVs.

Three of the top five fastest-selling HEVs came from Toyota, including the RAV4, the Yaris and the Corolla. The other top spots were filled by the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson, which took the shortest time to sell of any HEV.

PHEVs saw worse results, with used-car buyers not accepting the powertrain’s higher prices. As these models now feature longer ranges, many brands have had to increase list prices. Vehicles with a smaller electric range below 60km have been the most heavily impacted.

Supply and demand imbalance

‘Demand and supply are still unbalanced. In previous years, many vehicles were sold to fleets on the back of fiscal advantages,’ Percier added.

However, private used-car buyers have no interest in paying such a high price for PHEVs. Year to year, the powertrain saw the SVI fall by 13.1%. Smaller and cheaper PHEVs in the C-SUV segment were the easiest to sell.

At 35%, BEVs retained the lowest percentage of their original list price after 36 months and 60,000km. This was down both month on month and year on year. The fastest-selling BEV was the Tesla Model Y, offering a very comprehensive price positioning.

Both the new and used-car markets continue to be crowded. The new-car market will be pushed along by reinforced fiscal advantages for fleets.

Meanwhile, ICE models have been penalised more since the beginning of the year. This will increase the flow of BEVs into an already saturated used-car market. Social leasing will only exacerbate this situation.

Used-car demand flat in Germany

Following a modest increase in September, used-car demand in Germany remained almost unchanged in October. The SVI edged up just 0.1% compared to September. This still marked a 3.3% year-on-year decrease, indicating that market activity remains subdued compared to the previous year.

The AMVI for two-to-four-year-old passenger cars rose more significantly, by 4.3% month-on-month. Compared to October 2024, the index was up 9.1%, suggesting a recovery in supply within this age bracket.

The average number of days needed to sell a used car in October increased slightly to 60.4 days. This was up by 0.8 days from September and by 1.3 days compared with October 2024.

PHEVs sold the fastest at 59 days, followed by diesel models at 59.3 days. HEVs and petrol cars took slightly longer at 61.3 days. BEVs improved their turnover speed significantly and took 60.1 days to leave dealerships in October.

The average %RV of 36-month-old cars at 60,000km declined slightly to 48.3% in October, down 0.1pp from September and 1.6pp year on year. In absolute terms, the trade RV hit €21,599.9, a 0.8% month-on-month decrease but a 3.9% increase compared to October 2024.

Petrol cars led the market with a %RV of 50%. Then came diesel cars at 49.3% and HEVs at 48.9%, followed by PHEVs at 43.9%. BEVs again retained the lowest level of value at 36.7%.

‘Although RVs have stabilised recently in Germany, the level is significantly lower than in previous years, and demand remains rather weak,’ Madas said.

‘RVs can be expected to remain under pressure. By the end of 2025, %RVs are forecast to decrease by 2.6% compared with December 2024. Pressure will probably ease in 2026, with RVs forecasted to suffer a smaller decline of 1.4%,’ he added.

Italy used-car market on trend

‘October confirmed the anticipated trend for 2025 as outlined in the RV outlook. That is, a year-on-year decline in %RVs of 8.5%,’ highlighted Marco Pasquetti, Autovista Group’s cluster head of forecasting for Spain and Italy.

This drop is certainly significant, especially considering that %RVs ended 2024 down 7.5% compared to the previous year. However, it is important to remember that between 2020 and 2023, there was an unprecedented surge in values of over 30% in three years.

‘However, what is happening now should not be interpreted as a crisis in the used-car market. Instead, it should be considered a gradual return to a stable market following an exceptional, and therefore temporary, RV increase,’ Pasquetti highlighted.

There are currently no signs of a trend reversal or clear stabilisation, which means that this decline will likely continue over the next two years.

It is also notable that the volume of active listings was down 11% compared to last year. This decline is evident among PHEVs and BEVs, which still represent a relatively small market share. However, it is also apparent among diesel vehicles, which have dropped by as much as 16.7%. In contrast, full hybrids and LPG models have seen surges of 14.7% and 56.4%, respectively.

Overall, the fastest-selling model was the Dacia Sandero, which spent an average of 37.7 days. This is nearly half the market average of 69.8 days. The Audi A1, Toyota Yaris Cross, Dacia Duster, and Mini Countryman also performed well, each selling in under 50 days.

Spain sees solid demand

The positive new-car market performance in Spain has seen several consecutive months of double-digit increases. While registrations are still below 2019 levels, the market is recovering steadily. However, September saw the private channel and the business channel drive growth.

The MOVES III Plan continues to boost sales of electric vehicles (EVs), accounting for BEVs and PHEVs. These plug-in cars saw year-on-year growth of 97.9% and achieved a market share of 24%. In other words, nearly one in four new vehicles sold in September was an EV.

‘The used-car market is also in good health, with sales up by 5.2% year on year between January and September,’ commented Ana Azofra, Autovista Group’s head of valuations and insights, Spain.

Demand is solid and sustainable, with a significant rise in BEV and PHEV transactions, according to GANVAM.  In addition, they have seen a stronger professional channel and more stable prices than in other European markets.

Average transaction values only suffered a slight negative adjustment in October, down by 0.7% compared to September. This was due to the increased presence of EVs in the used-car sales mix, which tends to perform more negatively.

Overall, the situation is stable for ICE models and favourable for HEVs, which dominate the fastest-sellers ranking. The Toyota Yaris Cross leads the way with a turnover rate of 27.2 days, 40.5 days less than the wider market average.

Used-car stability in Switzerland

‘Following a strong rebound in September, used-car demand in Switzerland stabilised in October,’ Madas stated. ‘The SVI declined slightly month on month by 0.5% but still increased by 1.5% year on year.’

The AMVI rose by 1.5% increase compared to September but was still 8.4% lower than in October 2024. This indicates a tight supply of used cars in this age bracket.

The average %RV of a 36-month-old car at 60,000km remained relatively steady at 42.7%. This was down by just 0.1pp from September, and yet it marked a 4.3pp drop from October 2024.

HEVs retained the most value in October by far at 47.5%. Then came petrol cars at 44%, diesel models at 42.4% and PHEVs at 40.5%. BEVs continued to be the worst-performing powertrain, holding only 36.1% of their original list price.

The average number of days to sell a used car in October was 78.5 days. This was nearly unchanged from September. However, the performance was 5.5 days faster than in October 2024.

HEVs again sold fastest at 69 days. This was followed by diesel cars and petrol models at 76.2 days, and PHEVs at 85.7 days. BEVs improved significantly and sold at 85.8 days on average.

%RVs are forecast to decrease in the coming years, but at a slower pace. By the end of 2025, %RVs are expected to decrease by 7% compared to December 2024, with a smaller year-on-year drop of 1.7% anticipated in 2026.

Resilience in the UK

The UK’s used-car market presented a mixed picture in October. Despite the seasonal uplift in wholesale supply following September’s plate change, values remained broadly stable.

‘Average values dipped marginally by 0.1pp to 48.9% of the original cost-new price, indicating resilience in the face of increased stock levels,’ stated Jayson Whittington, Autovista Group’s regional head of valuations, UK.

The AMVI revealed a notable 13.6% rise in used-car availability on dealer forecourts compared to September, offering consumers greater choice. However, this did not translate into stronger retail performance.

According to the SVI, retail sales fell by 4.5% month on month in October, suggesting that increased supply may have outpaced demand.

Stock turnover remained steady, with dealers taking 34.3 days on average to sell a used car. This was slightly quicker than in the previous month and nearly identical to the same period last year.

Powertrain performance varied significantly. Diesel, HEV and petrol vehicles all outperformed the overall average %RV, retaining 52.2%, 52% and 50.1%, respectively. In contrast, PHEVs and BEVs lagged, retaining just 47.3% and 34.4% of their original cost-new price.

Despite their lower %RVs, BEVs continued to sell well. They were the fastest-selling powertrain in October, taking just 30.1 days on average to leave the forecourt. This was two days quicker than in September. This suggests that while BEV values remain under pressure, consumer appetite for fully-electric cars is still strong, particularly when pricing aligns with market expectations.

Residual values (RVs) of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) continued to languish across many European markets during September. Autovista24 editor Tom Geggus explores the trends alongside Autovista Group experts.

Major European used-car markets saw RVs presented as a percentage of new car list price (%RV) continue to fall in September. Year on year, the average three-year-old car at 60,000km suffered declines across Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and the UK.

This cements an ongoing market trend of value normalisation following the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw the unnatural inflation of RVs. But as the average across available powertrains deflates, one particular technology is dragging across all major markets.

BEVs retained the lowest amount of value of any major powertrain in all seven of the observed markets. The technology performed particularly badly in Italy. On average, all-electric models only managed a %RV of 28.5% after 36 months at 60,000km.

While they still trailed behind the wider market, the highest average %RV the powertrain recorded was in Spain at 44.9%. It was the only observed country where BEVs held on to more than 37.5% of their original list price.

The powertrain is subject to numerous RV pressures. Continuing range improvements and technological advancements are ageing younger models comparatively quickly. The entrance of new brands offering more affordable models also makes used BEVs less attractive.

Additionally, carmakers and governments want to increase the uptake of these all-electric cars to meet environmental targets. This can lead to the use of purchase incentives and discounts, which can put additional pressure on the RVs.

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The powertrain is expected to see %RVs fall year on year by the end of 2025 across all observed markets. While this is the case for most technologies, the expected drop is steeper than the anticipated average market decline in many countries.

Austria’s market headwinds

Austria’s sales-volume index (SVI) for two-to-four-year-old passenger cars dropped sharply in September, falling by 13.9% compared with August. Year-on-year, the SVI declined by 8.8%, highlighting ongoing market headwinds.

The active-market volume index (AMVI) showed a slight month-on-month increase of 1.2%. However, compared to September 2024, the AMVI was down by 11.6%, indicating a continued supply contraction within this age bracket.

The average time needed to sell a used car fell further in September, to 65 days. This was down by 1.6 days compared with August. Full hybrids (HEVs) showed another improvement in the month, making them the fastest-selling powertrain once again. The fuel type needed only 55.5 days to sell on average.

This was followed by diesel vehicles at 59.5 days, petrol vehicles at 63.7 days and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) at 72.4 days. BEVs continued to take the longest time to sell at 78.6 days.

Meanwhile, the average %RV of a 36-month-old car at 60,000km declined to 47.6% in September. This equated to a 0.5 percentage point (pp) drop from August, and a 2.7pp year-on-year fall.

HEVs retained the highest trade value at 51.6%, followed by petrol cars at 49.9%. Then came diesel models with 48.4%, and PHEVs with 45%. BEVs held the lowest %RV once again, at 37.5%.

‘Looking ahead, %RVs are expected to stabilise gradually until the end of the year,’ said Robert Madas, Autovista Group’s regional head of valuations. ‘Forecasts suggest a 0.7% increase by the end of 2025 compared to December 2024, followed by a 0.7% decline in 2026, and a 0.6% decrease in 2027.’

Residual values down in France

‘RVs continued to fall in France during September, with slightly higher list prices and lower absolute values,’ outlined Ludovic Percier, Autovista Group’s senior RV analyst for France.

Compared with August 2025, all powertrains took longer to sell on average. The sales volume also dropped month on month and year on year, as the used-car market reacted to a complex economic climate.

Petrol and diesel-powered cars only saw very small RV declines in the month, in contrast with a negative global trend. These used models are still in demand in France while the number of new internal-combustion engine (ICE) powered cars shrinks.

HEVs were once again the fastest-selling powertrain. Used HEVs are in increasing demand in France, but carmakers cannot risk adding big price premiums to these models. This would jeopardise the powertrain’s RVs.

Three of the top five fastest-selling HEVs came from Toyota, including the Rav 4, Yaris and Corolla. The other top spots were filled by the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson.

PHEVs saw worse results, with used-car buyers not accepting the powertrain’s higher prices. As these models now feature longer electric ranges, many brands have only been able to increase list prices.

Supply and demand imbalance

‘Demand and supply are still unbalanced,’ said Percier. ‘In previous years, many vehicles were sold to fleets on the back of fiscal advantages. However, private used-car buyers have no interest in paying such a high price for PHEVs.’

Month on month, the powertrain saw the sales-volume index fall by 14.8%. Smaller PHEVs in the C-SUV segment were the easiest to sell, however.

At 35.5%, BEVs retained the lowest percentage of their original list price after 36 months and 60,000km. This was down both month on month and year on year. The fastest-selling BEV was the relatively affordable BYD Atto 3, followed by the Tesla Model Y and Model 3.

Both the new and used-car markets continue to be crowded. The new-car market will be pushed along by reinforced fiscal advantages for fleets.

ICE models have been more penalised since the beginning of the year. This will increase the flow of BEV models into an already submerged used-car market. Social leasing will only exacerbate this situation when it is reintroduced.

Germany’s RVs remain under pressure

‘Following a decline in July and a significant increase in August, used-car demand in Germany increased only slightly in September,’ Madas said.

The SVI for two-to-four-year-old passenger cars edged up by 0.8% compared with August. However, this still marked a 10.9% year-on-year decrease, indicating that market activity remains subdued compared to the previous year. The AMVI also rose by 0.8% month-on-month, but was still 1.1% lower than in September 2024.

The average number of days needed to sell a used car in September was 59.9 days. This was similar to August, but 1.1 days longer than in September 2024. HEVs sold the fastest at 57 days, closely followed by PHEVs at 58.3 days and diesel models at 58.7 days. Petrol cars took slightly longer to sell at 60.4 days. BEVs took the longest amount of time to leave dealerships, doing so at 62.2 days.

The average %RV of a 36-month-old car at 60,000km increased marginally to 48.4% in September, up 0.1pp from August. However, this represents a 1.7pp year-on-year decrease. Petrol cars led the market with a %RV of 50.1%. Then came diesel cars at 49.4% and HEVs at 49.1%, followed by PHEVs at 43.6%. BEVs retained the lowest level of value at 36.9%.

Although RVs recently stabilised in Germany, the level is significantly lower than in previous years, and demand remains rather weak. Therefore, RVs can be expected to remain under pressure.

‘In 2025, %RVs are forecast to decrease by 2.6% compared with December 2024,’ Madas commented. ‘Pressure will likely ease in 2026, with RVs forecasted to suffer a smaller decline of 1.4%.’

Residual values fall in Italy

Approaching the final phase of the year, the results for Italy’s used-car market are coming into focus. On average, 36-month-old cars at 60,000km saw their RVs fall year on year.

In %RVs terms, values fell by 4.4pp compared with September 2024. This fell in line with an observed negative trend, one which is expected to continue towards the end of 2025.

Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) vehicles continued to enjoy the greatest %RV stability, down 1.8pp year on year. Meanwhile, diesel models retained the most value again, holding on to 50.8% of their original list price. This was compared to a market average of 46.4%.

Compared with last month, the sales volume of vehicles aged between 24 and 48 months dropped by 22.3%. Alongside this, the average time needed to sell a vehicle increased by 4.6 days. BEVs took the longest amount of time to sell, averaging 78.9 days. This was up by 9.3 days from the previous month.

BEVs are currently facing the greatest uncertainty. Starting from mid-October, purchase incentives of up to €11,000 may become available, depending on income level,’ said Marco Pasquetti, Autovista Group’s cluster head of forecasting for Spain and Italy.

‘Such a substantial incentive could put further pressure on the used-car market and RVs. However, it is better to wait and observe the market’s response to understand whether a backlash will actually occur,’ he added.

Used-car transactions fall in Spain

‘The Spanish new-car market has maintained its strong momentum, supported by a favourable economic environment,’ highlighted Ana Azofra, Autovista Group’s head of valuations and insights, Spain.

Far from showing signs of slowing down, registrations grew again in August by 17.2% year on year. This equated to a 14.6% increase in the year to date.

Electric vehicles (EVs) played a particularly prominent role. Together, BEVs and PHEVs recorded 161.9% growth compared to August 2024, and a 98% increase in the year to date. August’s EV market share of 24.4% brought Spain closer to the European average.

This new-car market momentum is limiting the possibilities for the used-car market, which saw transactions fall by 0.7% in August. Despite this slight decline, the supply from professional traders remained very positive. Sales of young used vehicles, which account for the bulk of the network’s activity, grew considerably.

‘Average transaction values felt the pressure of petrol and EV prices, as other powertrains showed slight growth,’ Azofra said. ‘Overall, the situation is stable and positive. Most of the 2025 adjustments have already occurred in the first part of the year.’

Stock volume was lower in September than last year, and the number of days needed to sell a used car fell accordingly. Last month’s fastest-selling models were the Cupra Leon, the VW Taigo, and the Dacia Sandero.

Switzerland sees demand rebound

After a modest decline in July and a sharper drop in August, used-car demand in Switzerland rebounded strongly in September. The SVI for two-to-four-year-old passenger cars surged month-on-month by 12.6%. However, year-on-year, the SVI was down by 3.3%.

The AMVI edged down slightly by 0.6% compared to August, indicating stabilising used-car supply. However, the supply volume of passenger cars in this age bracket was 10.9% lower than in September 2024.

‘The average %RV of a 36-month-old car at 60,000km rose slightly to 42.8%,’ Madas said. ‘This marks a continued year-on-year decline, down by 4.5pp from the values recorded 12 months ago.’

HEVs retained the most value in September by far at 47.5%. Then came petrol cars at 44.1%, diesel models at 42.2% and PHEVs at 40.6%. BEVs continued to be the worst-performing powertrain. All-electric cars held only 35.9% of their original list price.

The average number of days to sell a used car increased to 78.1 days, four days more than in August, but still six days faster than in September 2024. HEVs sold fastest at 66.6 days, followed by diesel cars at 76.1, petrol models at 76.4 days and PHEVs at 84.8 days. Meanwhile, BEVs needed the most time to sell, at 85.9 days on average.

A trend of relatively stable supply and low demand is expected to continue as various uncertainties persist into the remainder of 2025. Therefore, %RVs are forecast to decrease in the coming years, but at a slower pace. By the end of 2025, %RVs are expected to decrease by 5.9% compared to December 2024, with a further, smaller year-on-year drop of 1.5% anticipated in 2026.

Deceptive residual value uplift in UK

‘RVs in the UK saw a modest uplift in September. The average RV of a three-year-old car rose to 49% of the original cost new price. However, this improvement is a result of the plate-effect, rather than market performance,’ explained Jayson Whittington, Autovista Group’s regional head of valuations, UK.

A car registered in September 2022 displayed a ‘72’ plate. However, in August 2022, a ‘22’ plate would be on display. This plate distinction commands a higher value, which is why an uplift was recorded in this month’s report. However, the increase seen in September 2024 was 1.9pp. This year there was only a 1pp increase, suggesting a softer impact this time around.

When comparing like-for-like data with September 2024, the average %RV dropped by 3.3 pp. This downward development is not a reflection of poor market conditions; if anything, it is best described as ‘steady’. This is because it is a continuation of a realignment in values following the spike experienced in 2021.

Retail dynamics remained healthy, with the average time to sell a used car holding at 34 days, three days quicker than the same period last year. BEVs continued to lead in turnover speed at 31.4 days, followed closely by PHEVs and hybrids. Petrol cars sold right on the 34-day average, while diesel variants lagged at 40.8 days. Despite slower turnover, diesel models retained the highest %RV at 52.4%.

‘Looking ahead to October, it will be interesting to see if the volume of cars increases in wholesale channels. An increase in volumes is often observed following September’s plate-change activity. However, with a subdued used-car supply this year, prices may not be adversely affected,’ Whittington concluded.

At IAA Mobility in Munich, Schwacke and Auto Bild revealed the 2025 Wertmeister (residual value champions) winners. Autovista24 editor Tom Geggus examines the models with the greatest value retention in Germany.

For the 22^nd time, vehicles with the highest value retention were honoured by industry experts. This year, a total of eleven value masters took home the coveted title.

Around 10,000 models were divided into categories ranging from small cars to commercial vans, and examined by Schwacke experts. The awards included three electric categories and eight open classes, in which all models were considered regardless of their powertrain.

A Wertmeister hat-trick

The Audi A6 e-tron won two trophies in the luxury and compact to luxury electric categories.

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This was the first time an all-electric model claimed victory in the luxury segment, defeating its diesel and petrol competitors. The achievement sends a strong signal to the industry, underlining that used electric cars are making gains.

‘What a wonderful surprise for everyone who believes in the future of electromobility and has been waiting for signals from the market,’ said Thorsten Barg, managing director of Schwacke.

‘Audi’s success with the electric version of the A6 Avant in this open class against strong combustion engine competition shows that electromobility is now arriving on the used car market,’ he added.

Close behind in second and third were models with internal-combustion engines: the BMW 5 Series and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

In addition to the double title for the e-tron, Audi also celebrated a win in the compact car category. The Audi A3 impressed with its high value retention, versatility and modern design.

Small car clash

For the past four years, the Dacia Sandero was the undisputed leader in the small car category. This year, it had to relinquish its title to the Mini Cooper Cabrio. The model stood out with an exceptionally high value retention.

However, Dacia claimed a win in the compact SUV category with its Duster. The model impressed with a strong overall package. Everyday practicality, robustness, and an excellent price-performance ratio added to its used-market appeal. Dacia’s focus on essentials appeals to many customers, and this is reflected in its residual value (RV).

With the Mini Aceman, BMW also impressed in the electric small car category. Available as a battery-electric vehicle (BEV), the Aceman achieves a WLTP range of up to 406km, making it an attractive choice in its segment.

Electric vehicles (EVs) enjoyed more success in the compact to luxury electric SUV category, with the Volvo EX90 crowned the winner.

The model incorporates sustainability measures such as the use of recycled materials and reflects the brand’s ongoing shift toward electromobility. With an emphasis on safety and environmental performance, the Swedish company is consolidating its place within the premium electric segment.

Wertmeister highlights RV importance

RVs play a central role in the automotive industry. For private buyers, it directly affects the future resale value, often a key criterion when choosing a new car.

In leasing and financing, the calculated RV directly impacts monthly payments. Even for manufacturers, stable value retention can significantly boost a model’s market success. A Wertmeister win signals a model’s exceptional value stability.

‘Many Wertmeister winners are expensive to buy. If you drive a Porsche, Mercedes, or Mini, you pay a lot upfront, but then benefit when reselling, said Robin Hornig, editor-in-chief for Automotive at the Bild Group.

‘In the RV rankings, model lines and brands that offered either particularly affordable vehicles or a high position in the premium and lifestyle segments prevailed again. Additionally, we see strong improvements in electric cars, both in terms of range and charging speed as well as everyday practicality,’ Barg summarised.

Given the rapid development across the automotive landscape, keeping an eye on RV trends pays off. This key metric remains a crucial factor for a model’s market success and will continue to prove pivotal to the industry.

List prices of new cars climbed higher in July. Meanwhile, the supply and demand of used models fell. But how are these factors impacting European residual values (RVs)? Tom Hooker, Autovista24 journalist, reviews the data with Autovista Group experts.

In an ongoing trend, average new-car list prices continued to rise in July across major European automotive markets. This metric rose month on month and year on year in Austria, France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, and the UK.

France recorded the largest year-on-year increase of 9.2%, while also observing the biggest monthly list price growth of 3.3%. This was followed by Austria, which saw an 8.8% uptick compared with July 2024.

Spain, Switzerland, and Germany also recorded significant list price increases of 8.2%, 7.1% and 6.7% respectively. The UK posted a 4% rise while Italy saw a 1.8% growth. But what happened with other key market metrics?

Declining supply and demand

In another continuing trend, used-car supply continued to fall year on year across Europe. The active-market volume index (AMVI) of two-to-four-year-old cars saw the biggest advert slump in Spain, down by 43.6%.

Italy was the only other country to record a double-digit AMVI decline, with an 11% drop. Conversely, the UK and France saw used-car volumes remain stable compared to other markets, declining by 4.1% and 1.6% respectively.

Compared to July 2024, the sales-volume index (SVI) also fell across all seven observed markets. This was except for France, which posted a 3.7% increase. On the other hand, Spain suffered a 36.8% drop in demand. Double-digit SVI declines were also seen in the UK and Germany, down by 24.3% and 19.1% respectively.

Residual values impacted

So, how do these trends affect RVs? Rising new-car list prices can cause more people to turn to the used-car market. This creates more demand, which means absolute RVs can go up on average. These values did increase year on year across almost every market, apart from Italy and Spain.

However, new-car list prices are far from the only factor influencing values. RVs presented as a percentage of retained new-car list price (%RVs) declined across all seven of the observed markets.

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In countries like Germany and the UK, the SVI saw a greater year-on-year drop than the AMVI. This indicates demand fell faster than supply, which can put pressure on RVs as buyer interest weakens. So, %RVs may have suffered an even steeper fall without list prices increasing.

Switzerland suffered the strongest year-on-year %RV decline of 5.1 percentage points (pp). Italy and Spain endured notable decreases of 4.2pp and 4pp, respectively. Meanwhile, %RVs were down by 3.5pp in France, 2.8pp in Austria and 1.6pp in Germany. Percentage values in the UK dropped by 1pp.

Austria’s decreasing demand

The SVI in Austria decreased slightly in July, after a strong increase in June. The number of observed sales decreased by 1.8% compared to the previous month and recorded a decline of 9.2% year-on-year.

‘The AMVI of two-to-four-year-old passenger cars showed a similar trend in July. The supply volume of passenger cars in this age bracket was down by 1% from June and by 5.7% compared to one year ago,’ said Robert Madas, Autovista Group’s regional head of valuations.

The average amount of time needed to sell a used car decreased slightly in June to 67.6 days. Diesel vehicles continued to be the fastest-selling powertrain, taking 59.6 days to sell on average last month. This was followed by plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) at 69.5 days, petrol vehicles at 70.6 days and battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) at 80.3 days.

The technology saw a significant improvement in turnaround rates. These models left dealerships 4.4 days faster than June and 6.1 days quicker than July 2024. Full hybrids (HEV) took the longest amount of time to sell in July at 81.3 days.

The %RVs of 36-month-old cars at 60,000km decreased slightly to 48.3% on average last month. This was a 0.5 pp drop compared to June but a 2.8pp decline from July 2024.

‘HEVs retained the greatest amount of trade value in July at 52.5%, followed by petrol cars at 50.4%. Then came diesel models with 49% and PHEVs with 45.8%. BEVs held the lowest %RV once again, at 39.6%,’ Madas outlined.

%RVs are expected to decrease in the coming years, but at a slower pace. This is due to weakening demand and unwavering supply. By the end of 2025, %RVs are forecast to fall by 0.2%. In 2026, a slightly bigger year-on-year drop of 0.7% is predicted.

RV stability in France

Average RVs of 36-month-old cars at 60,000km in France were relatively stable last month.

‘This comes as list prices increased from the previous month. More importantly, list prices have risen by 9.2% year on year. This means that new vehicles from 2021 were cheaper than those from 2022,’ explained Ludovic Percier, Autovista Group’s senior RV analyst for France.

The absolute trade RVs of petrol-powered cars were stable in July, performing in a similar way to the overall market.

Diesel’s absolute trade values rose marginally in July, while models spent more days in stock on average. However, the powertrain still sold quicker than petrol vehicles.

Despite recording higher absolute RVs and list prices compared to petrol-powered cars, diesel %RVs were nearly identical to their internal combustion engine (ICE) sibling.

‘Hybrid RVs grew month on month in both percentage and absolute terms. This performance contrasts with a recent period of stagnation and very slight declines. HEVs were the fastest-selling powertrain in July. Even though some petrol vehicles were quicker to sell, overall, HEVs behaved better,’ he noted.

Struggling PHEVs

Conversely, PHEV RVs have fallen, while the technology is spending an increasing amount of time in dealerships on average. The smallest and cheapest PHEVs are the easiest and quickest to sell. The supply of used PHEVs is exceeding demand. This has caused the powertrain to suffer %RV declines over the last few months.

BEV absolute trade RVs increased in July. However, all-electric vehicles were the slowest-selling powertrain this month. BEVs needed a turnaround time of 86.9 days on average, up by 3.6 days from June.

‘Demand in France is unbalanced for BEVs between the new and used-car markets. This is due to incentives and tax benefits only applying to new car buyers. Used car buyers are not willing to pay such a high premium compared to ICE models,’ said Percier.

Higher ranges have helped to maintain RVs. However, rising prices have had a huge impact on values. Social leasing, café regulation and fleet buyers have led to low BEV RVs. However, this situation has improved compared to when Tesla and BYD operated huge discounts on their vehicles.

Germany’s consistent supply

Following a strong increase in June, used-car demand in Germany fell during July. Compared to the previous month, this metric was down 6.3%. The result also marked a significant decrease of 19.1% year-on-year.

Meanwhile, the supply of two-to-four-year-old passenger cars remained stable compared to June. However, the AMVI of passenger cars in this age bracket dropped by 7.2% compared to the previous year.

‘The average number of days needed to sell a used car remained stable at 59.9 days in July. Diesel models sold the fastest at 57.3 days, closely followed by HEVs at 57.6 days. PHEVs took 58.6 days to leave dealerships, trailed by petrol cars at 61.3 days, while BEVs took 62.6 days to sell,’ stated Madas.

%RVs of 36-month-old cars at 60,000km showed another slight increase in July. Models held an average %RV of 48.3%. This was a 0.1pp increase compared to June but a 1.6pp decrease year-on-year.

‘Petrol cars led the market with a %RV of 49.8%. Then came diesel cars at 49.3% and HEVs at 48.8%, followed by PHEVs at 43.2%. BEVs again retained the lowest level of value at 37.2%,’ he said.

Although RVs have stabilised recently in Germany, demand remains weak. RVs can be expected to remain under pressure. In 2025, %RVs are forecast to decrease, down 2.7% when compared with December 2024. Pressure will probably ease in 2026, with RVs forecasted to suffer a smaller decline of 1.4%.

Italy’s values stay on trend

The average %RV of 36-month-old vehicles at 60,000km showed a year-on-year drop of 4.2pp in July. This confirms a downward trend, as already observed in previous months. The figure was also 0.8pp down compared to last month. This pace of decline was broadly consistent with what has been seen across the first half of 2025.

‘All fuel types show a sharp decline compared to last year. It is worth noting that LPG-powered vehicles were the least affected, with a drop of 1.5pp in %RVs. This confirmed renewed buyer confidence, supported by the stabilisation of fuel prices,’ said Marco Pasquetti, Autovista Group’s head of valuations for Italy.

Conversely, the sharp decline continued for BEVs and PHEVs, down 4pp and 6.5pp respectively. The two technologies are still struggling to gain significant market share. However, it is fair to point out that new-car sales data for these powertrains are on the rise, offering hope for the future,’ he highlighted.

The average selling times of two-to-four-year-old used cars have increased compared to last month, reaching 60.4 days. BEVs took the longest time to sell, needing 72.9 days to leave dealerships.

On the other hand, LPG remained the fastest-selling powertrain, with a turnaround rate of just 40.8 days. Overall, the fastest-selling models in July were both from Dacia, with the Sandero averaging 30.9 days in stock and the Duster 33.3 days.

An RV drop of 8.5% is forecasted for the end of 2025. Further declines are also projected in the coming years, albeit at a slightly slower pace.

Switzerland’s supply slump

After a marginal month-on-month increase in June, used-car demand fell in Switzerland during July. The number of sales observed decreased by 0.3% compared to June. Year-on-year, the SVI was down by 8.5%.

‘Meanwhile, the AMVI of two-to-four-year-old passenger cars increased slightly by 0.9% in July compared to the previous month. However, the supply volume of passenger cars in this age bracket slumped by 8.8% compared to the previous year,’ explained Madas.

%RVs of 36-month-old cars at 60,000km dropped again in July, falling from 42.8% in June to 42.4%. The year-on-year decline was more severe, down 5.1pp from the values recorded 12 months ago.

‘HEVs retained the most value in July by far at 47%. Then came petrol cars at 43.9%, diesel models at 41.7% and PHEVs at 39.9%. BEVs continued to be the worst-performing powertrain. All-electric cars held only 36.4% of their original list price,’ he stated.

July saw two-to-four-year-old passenger cars sell slightly slower than in June, taking 78.5 days to sell on average.

HEVs sold fastest at 71.6 days, followed by diesel cars at 71.9 days, petrol cars at 78.3 days and BEVs at 82.8 days. Meanwhile, PHEVs needed the most time to sell at 87.6 days on average.

A trend of relatively stable supply and low demand will continue as various uncertainties shroud 2025. Values are expected to decrease in the coming years, but at a slower pace. By the end of 2025, %RVs are expected to decrease by 4.2% compared to December 2024. In 2026, a lower year-on-year drop of 1.5% is expected.

Seasonal softening in the UK

‘The UK’s used car market experienced a seasonal softening in July, with retail activity slowing and vehicle values edging downward,’ commented Jayson Whittington, Autovista Group’s regional head of valuations, UK.

‘The average three-year-old car retained 49.1% of its original cost new price last month, a decline of 1.5pp from June and 1pp lower than the same period last year. This level of depreciation is typical during the summer months, when consumer attention often shifts away from vehicle purchases,’ he explained.

Sales activity fell by 5.9% compared to the previous month, while the SVI was down 24.3% year-on-year. This decline in demand has led to a slight increase in available inventory, with the AMVI indicating 1.2% more cars for sale on dealer forecourts. Despite this uptick, stock levels remain 4.1% lower than in July 2024.

Fuel type influences values

Fuel type continues to influence residual values. Petrol vehicles retained 50.2% of their original cost new price, down 1.7pp from June. Diesel cars held slightly stronger at 52%, showing a modest year-on-year gain of 1.2pp. This was likely due to the declining supply of this once-dominant fuel type, which slumped by 36.6% year on year.

Hybrids retained 52.9% of their list price, the best %RV performance of any powertrain. Meanwhile, the average PHEV %RV dropped to 47.8%. BEVs remained the weakest performers, holding just 35.3% of their original value.

Despite sales activity cooling, dealers needed an average of 37.4 days to sell a used car, almost unchanged from June. Petrol cars sold in 36.9 days on average, while hybrids need the shortest amount of time to sell at 33.4 days.

PHEVs had an average turnaround rate of 39.4 days. BEVs took 39.1 days to leave dealerships and diesels were the slowest seller at 41.8 days.

‘The used car market continues to demonstrate underlying stability, with current trends largely reflecting typical seasonal fluctuations. Glass’s anticipates no major disruption to the UK’s supply and demand dynamic throughout the rest of 2025. A modest year-on-year RV decline of approximately 3% is projected by December,’ Whittington concluded.

Residual values (RVs) suffered yet another drop across major European used-car markets in June. But is this trend expected to continue in the second half of the year? Autovista24 journalist Tom Hooker explores the topic with Autovista Group experts.

Average RVs of used cars after 36 months and 60,000km, expressed as a percentage of original list price (%RV), fell again across major European markets in June. Switzerland, Italy, Spain, France, Austria, Germany and the UK all saw values drop year on year, continuing a declining trend.

Used-car values in Austria were down by 2.5pp to 48.8%, as Germany recorded a %RV of 48.2% after a 1.7pp fall. The UK was the most resilient market, dropping by 1pp to 50.5%.

Switzerland suffered the largest fall compared to June 2024, with %RVs dropping by 4.7 percentage points (pp) to 42.8%. Italy also endured a steep decrease, falling by 4.4pp to end the month at 47.9%. %RVs in Spain sat at 55.5% after declining by 3.7pp, while France saw a 3.5pp drop to 52.5%.

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Negative European RV outlook?

Unfortunately, this trend is not expected to slow down this year. %RVs are forecast to keep falling over the next three years in all seven of the observed European used-car markets. However, these declines vary across each country.

Italy is predicted to see the largest drop in values out of the seven markets in 2025. Values are expected to drop by 8.2% by the end of the year. In 2026 and 2027, significant declines are also predicted, with %RVs projected to fall by 5.6% and 5% respectively.

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Switzerland is also forecast to suffer a significant drop in 2025, with a predicted fall of 4.2%. This is expected to ease over the next two years, with decreases of 1.5% and 0.4% in 2025 and 2026, respectively.

On the other hand, %RVs in Austria are forecast to remain relatively resilient. A 0.2% fall in 2025 is predicted, followed by a 0.7% drop in 2026 and a 0.6% decline in 2027. Spain is expected to see steady values, with a 1.4% decrease forecast this year. This will drop will change marginally to 1.3% in 2026, then 1.2% in 2027.

Rising European list prices

Despite the drop in residual values, rising list prices are counterintuitive to this current trend. This is because buyers currently need to pay more for a new car, meaning some people will turn to used cars. In turn, this increases used-car demand, pushing prices up and supporting their value creation.

The most significant rise was recorded in Austria, which saw this metric grow by 8.4% year on year. Germany and Spain recorded a 6.9% and 6,8% increase in list prices, respectively. France also posted significant growth of 5.5%. List prices in the UK were up by 4.9% and Switzerland recorded a 4.8% rise.

Italy was the only country to see stable list prices compared to one year ago, with this metric falling slightly, by 0.6%.

Falling European supply

Another trend which is still somewhat RV-stabilising, considering the pressured economic environment, is falling European supply. If supply decreases but demand remains relatively consistent, buyers must compete for a smaller pool of models.

This competition can drive prices and residual values upwards. This was not the case in Italy, where the AMVI improved by 16.1% year on year. Aside from this instance, all other observed countries endured a decline.

The steepest drop by some distance was recorded in Spain, with used-car adverts down by 45.4% compared to June 2024. Switzerland also suffered a notable AMVI decrease of 10.5%.

France saw supply fall by 8.4% year on year, followed by the UK, which posted a 7% drop. Then came Austria with a 4.8% decline, as used-car supply in Germany decreased by 2%.

Demand grows in Austria

‘The sales-volume index (SVI) in Austria increased in June, after a double-digit drop in May. The number of observed sales increased by 11.9% compared to the previous month and by 7.1% compared to June 2024,’ noted Robert Madas, Autovista Group’s regional head of valuations.

The AMVI of two-to-four-year-old passenger cars remained stable in June compared to May. On the other hand, the supply volume of passenger cars in this age bracket was down by 4.8% compared to the previous year.

The average amount of time needed to sell a used car increased slightly to 68.3 days. Diesel vehicles continued to be the fastest-selling powertrain, taking 59 days to sell on average. This was followed by full hybrids (HEV) at 64.7 days, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) at 64.9 days and petrol vehicles at 75.7 days. Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) took the longest amount of time to sell at 84.7 days.

Overall %RVs increased to 48.8% on average last month. This was a 1.5pp increase compared to May but a 2.5pp decrease from June 2024.

HEVs retained the greatest amount of trade value in June at 53.1%, followed by petrol cars at 51.2%. Then came diesel models with 49.3% and PHEVs with 46.1%. BEVs again held the lowest amount of value, at 39.8%.

‘%RVs are expected to decrease in the coming years, but at a slower pace. This is due to weakening demand and unwavering supply. By the end of 2025, %RVs are forecast to decrease by 0.2%. In 2026, a slightly bigger year-on-year drop of 0.7% is also predicted,’ he outlined.

EVs heavily impacted in France

Across the first half of 2025, BEVs and PHEVs have been the most impacted technology in France’s used-car market.

Used-car volume increased slightly in June. However, this was still below pre-COVID-19 levels. Advertising prices have decreased since the beginning of the year. But it still needs to decrease more to help the average days to sell drop.

Petrol %RVs continued to be stable last month, while the quickest sales came from low-cost and small cars. Diesel-powered vehicles remained stable again. This was helped by a lower volume on the new car market, with fleets transitioning to other powertrains, such as HEVs and BEVs.

‘Many new-car buyers in France have transferred from PHEVs to HEVs as the latter technology is cheaper. In turn, this increases volumes on the used car market,’ explained Ludovic Percier, Autovista Group’s senior RV analyst for France.

In June, HEVs recorded a marginal %RV decline, as more expensive vehicles are entering the used-car market. These models do not hold value as well as the first hybrid vehicles. Yet, HEVs were the quickest powertrain to sell this month.

PHEV values were stable in June after a long period of marginal decreases. The technology’s used-car supply is higher than demand. This caused the powertrain to suffer RV declines over the last few months.

‘New PHEV models are now coming with better electric-only ranges and more premium models. This helps to stabilise RVs. List prices on the new-car market remain high, which explains the powertrain’s significant drop in values in the past months,’ he said.

BEVs combat declining RV trend

BEV values increased in June. However, this was because more of the all-electric vehicles sold belonged to the premium sector. These vehicles can retain values comparatively well. However, BEV models took the longest time to sell in June, taking 84.1 days to sell on average, up by 4.3 days on May.

‘BEVs have endured a decreasing RV trend for two years now. In contrast, new-car buyers are willing to pay for BEVs, even if the vehicle is more expensive than internal combustion engine (ICE) models. This is due to tax purposes that benefit companies and employees with company cars,’ highlighted Percier.

However, used-car buyers do not benefit from any similar advantage. So, they are not willing to pay such a high premium compared to ICE vehicles.

Higher driving ranges have helped to maintain RVs but rising prices have had a huge impact on values. Social leasing, Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFÉ) regulation and fleet buyers have led to low RVs on this powertrain. However, the situation improved compared to a period when Tesla and BYD operated large discounts on their vehicles.

Germany’s increasing demand

Following a significant decrease in May, Germany’s SVI showed a strong increase in June. Compared to the previous month, this metric was up by 11.8%, and by 3.2% year on year.

‘Meanwhile, the AMVI of two-to-four-year-old passenger cars improved slightly compared to May, with a 4.9% rise. The supply volume of passenger cars in this age bracket dropped by 2% compared to the previous year,’ outlined Madas.

The average number of days needed to sell a used car increased by two days to 60 days in June. Diesel models sold the fastest at 56.2 days, followed by PHEVs at 57.9 days. Then came HEVs at 60.2 days, trailed by petrol cars at 61.6 days, while BEVs took 64.7 days to sell.

The %RVs of 36-month-old cars at 60,000km showed another increase in June. Models held an average %RV of 48.2%. This was a 0.4 percentage point (pp) increase compared to May but a 1.7pp decrease year on year.

Petrol cars led the market with a %RV of 49.9%. Then came diesel cars at 49.1% and HEVs at 49%, followed by PHEVs at 42.9%. BEVs again retained the lowest level of value at 37.1%.

‘Although RVs have stabilised recently, demand remains rather weak. Therefore, RVs can be expected to remain under pressure. In 2025, %RVs are forecast to decrease, down 2.7% when compared with December 2024. Pressure will probably ease in 2026, with RVs forecasted to decline by 1.4%,’ he stated.

RVs drop in Italy

The decline in RVs for three-year-old vehicles continued as expected, down 4.4pp in June compared to one year ago. RVs also suffered a 0.2pp drop compared to May, although this was mostly due to seasonal factors.

There was a slight improvement in the average number of days it takes to sell a used vehicle. Models left the forecourt 1.3 days quicker on average when compared to June 2024.

BEVs saw a significantly steeper RV drop than the overall average, falling by 4.8pp year on year. This trend has remained over the last few months. PHEVs also saw values slump, down by 6.7pp, however, a slight slowdown is beginning to emerge for both technologies.

‘Last month, the year-on-year gap was even wider, so we expect the decline to stabilise by December. BEVs are forecast to endure a drop of 9.9%, while PHEVs are predicted to see RVs fall by 9.1%,’ said Marco Pasquetti, Autovista Group’s head of valuations for Italy.

There are no major surprises from petrol and diesel vehicles, which continue to make up the core of the country’s used car market.

‘In particular, diesel still holds the largest market share and retains residual value better than any other fuel type. This is despite restrictions in many major Italian cities. The fuel type recorded an average RV of 52.4% in June, well above the market average of 47.9%,’ noted Pasquetti.

Although RVs were down across all vehicle types, it’s worth noting that LPG-powered cars were the fastest to sell, taking just over 40 days on average. Furthermore, the powertrain’s top performers sold in under a month.

Switzerland’s stable supply

After a decrease in May, the SVI increased marginally in Switzerland last month. The number of sales observed increased by 4% compared to May. Year-on-year, the SVI was down by 0.9%.

Meanwhile, the AMVI of two-to-four-year-old passenger cars remained almost stable in June compared to the previous month. However, the supply volume of passenger cars in this age bracket slumped by 10.5% compared to the previous year.

Values of 36-month-old cars at 60,000km dropped again in June, as %RVs fell from 43.3% in May to 42.8%. The year-on-year drop was more severe, down 4.7pp from the values recorded 12 months ago.

‘HEVs retained the most value in June by far at 48%. Then came petrol cars at 44.2%, diesel models at 41.8% and PHEVs at 40.3%. BEVs were once again the worst-performing powertrain. All-electric cars held only 36.7% of their original list price after three years and 60,000km,’ outlined Madas.

June saw two-to-four-year-old passenger cars sell slower than in May. These vehicles spent 78 days in stock on average.

‘HEVs sold fastest at 61.2 days, followed by petrol cars at 74.5 days, diesel cars at 77.7 days and BEVs at 89.5 days. Meanwhile, PHEVs needed the most time to sell at 90 days on average,’ he stated.

A trend of relatively stable supply and low demand will continue as various uncertainties shroud 2025. Therefore, %RVs are expected to decrease in the next years, but at a slower pace. By the end of 2025, %RVs are anticipated to decline by 4.2% compared to December 2024. In 2026, a lower year-on-year drop of 1.5% is expected.

The UK’s RV decline

‘The UK used car market remained relatively stable between May and June, with RVs showing only a slight decline,’ commented Jayson Whittington, Autovista Group’s regional head of valuations, UK.

The average three-year-old car retained 50.5% of its original cost-new price. This result marked a modest drop of just 0.3pp from the previous month. The figure was 1pp lower than the same period last year, indicating a subtle year-on-year fall in values.

Retail activity showed signs of improvement, as the SVI increased by 2.7% compared to May. While this uptick is encouraging, it is tempered by sales remaining 18.3% lower than in June of the previous year.

In contrast, the AMVI experienced a slight month-on-month decline of 2.3%. Dealers may be hesitant to increase stock, possibly due to a lack of confidence or limited availability of desirable vehicles. Compared to June 2024, stock levels on dealer forecourts were down by 7%, reinforcing the notion of constrained supply.

The average time it took for a dealer to sell a used car in the UK also improved slightly, decreasing by 0.6 days to an average of 36.9 days.

Seasonal impact incoming

Breaking down RVs by fuel type, petrol vehicles saw a decline of 0.8pp, bringing their average RV to 51.9%. Diesel cars fared slightly better, dropping by 0.3pp to 52.7%. Hybrid vehicles experienced a minor dip of 0.2pp to 54.3%, while PHEVs fell by 0.1pp to 49.1%.

BEVs also saw a 0.3pp fall, with their average RV now sitting at 37.2%. Notably, BEVs have only lost 0.1pp compared to last year, suggesting that their values have begun to stabilise. However, they remain sensitive to fluctuations in supply.

As the summer months approach, the UK used car market typically experiences a seasonal retraction. June reflected this trend, with activity in the wholesale market beginning to soften and hammer prices starting to decline.

‘Whether this signals a cautious approach from dealers or the early signs of weakening retail demand remains to be seen, but it will be important to monitor how these dynamics evolve in the coming weeks,’ Whittington concluded.