Car-buying trends of 2025 revealed
EVs surge on cinch as UK buyers shift gear
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Our new data has revealed the changing demands of the nation's used car buyers.
Electric vehicle sales are accelerating rapidly, small hatchbacks continue to punch above their weight, while one of the UK’s most-watched TV shows has given a popularity boost to one particular SUV.
cinch’s millions of monthly visitors generate a rich picture of what British drivers want and need. Read on for the full story.
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EV sales jump 29% as prices soften
Electric car sales on cinch rose 29% in 2025 compared to 2024, while the average sold price of EVs fell by 4%.
Lower prices, greater choice and growing consumer confidence all played a part, according to Ben Welham, our motoring expert.
“We’re seeing the EV market mature. Prices are more accessible, and buyers are realising that used EVs can offer incredible value.
"The growth we’ve seen in 2025 shows that electric is no longer a niche choice – it’s becoming a mainstream consideration.”
 "Tesla Model 3 Highland front three quarters, driving")
The most-sold EV on cinch in 2025 was Tesla's Model 3, followed by the Nissan LEAF and Hyundai KONA Electric.
The mix of saloons, hatchbacks and SUVs in the top 10 suggests EV buyers are less influenced by body type and more focused on factors such as range, price and features.
Top 10 selling EVs on cinch in 2025:
Britain’s favourite cars: Corsa takes the crown
Across all fuel types, the Vauxhall Corsa was the best-selling car on cinch in 2025.
The overall top 10 reflects Britain’s continued love of small, efficient hatchbacks and family-friendly SUVs:
Ben added:
“The Corsa’s success is no surprise. It’s affordable, reliable and easy to live with – exactly what many buyers want in a cost‑conscious year.”
 "Vauxhall Corsa + Ben Welham")
Tesla tops EV brands – but Ford remains king overall
When it comes to brands, Ford was the most‑sold overall on cinch in 2025, ahead of VW and Vauxhall.
But in the EV world, Tesla led the pack, followed by Volkswagen, Hyundai, Vauxhall and Kia.
“‘Traditional brands’ still dominate petrol and diesel sales, but EV-focused emerging brands are increasingly leading the electric charge.
"In 2026 and beyond, we expect names such as BYD, Chery and JAECOO to grow in prominence. It's an exciting time for buyers,” said Ben.
What Britain searched for: SUVs rule, CarPlay is king
SUVs remained the UK’s most desired type of car, making up 36% of all 'body type' filtered searches on cinch.
Estates (18%) and hatchbacks (14%) followed.
Meanwhile, our data on the most searched-for car features reveals how tech‑focused buyers have become:
Apple CarPlay
Parking sensors
Heated seats
Sunroof
SatNav
CarPlay topping the list shows the importance of smartphone integration to modern drivers. This is also reflected in the declining need for built-in SatNav, with drivers using mobile apps such as Google Maps and Waze instead.
Colours of 2025: black is best
Black was the UK’s most popular car colour on cinch in 2025, followed by white and grey.
Pink made a surprise appearance in the top 10 – perhaps boosted by the return of the “Barbiecore” trend on social media earlier in the year.
Black
White
Grey
Blue
Red
Green
Silver
Orange
Yellow
Pink
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TV influence: The Traitors boosts Defender searches
In January 2026, daily searches for the Land Rover Defender jumped 28% compared with the 2025 average, likely driven by the latest series of the hit BBC show The Traitors.
“We’ve always known TV and film influence car culture, but The Traitors has taken it to another level. The Defender’s rugged, mysterious vibe fits the show perfectly – and clearly viewers want a bit of that drama in their driveway,” says Ben.
Fastest‑selling EVs of 2025
The quickest‑selling electric cars on cinch last year were:
Vauxhall Corsa‑e
Vauxhall Mokka‑e
Mercedes EQB
BYD DOLPHIN
Ford Mustang Mach‑E
BMW iX
Citroën ë‑C4
Citroën ë‑Berlingo
MG5
MG4
The mix of compact EVs and premium models shows how broad the electric market has become.
While Vauxhall's affordable duo topped the chart, the presence of BYD's DOLPHIN hints at the new wave of desirable brands entering the used car market.
A year of change – and more to come
2025 was an exciting year for UK car buyers. EV sales grew rapidly, several new brands made a stir, and cultural moments provided inspiration for open-minded buyers.
Ben concluded:
“The data shows a car market in transition. Buyers want value, efficiency and tech – and they’re more open than ever to going electric. With more models arriving in 2026, we expect this momentum to continue.”
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