• Dealers who believe electrification is the biggest challenge facing the used car sector have fallen from 54% to 37% in the last 12 months
• The percentage who are “enthusiastic” about used electric vehicles has risen from 32% to 62%
• Dealers are also less worried about other issues, shows November’s Startline Used Car Tracker, including stock availability

November’s Startline Used Car Tracker shows the percentage who perceive electrification as an issue has fallen from 54% to 37%.

The research also indicates dealer enthusiasm for selling EVs has risen substantially – up from 32% to 62%, while those who think the charging network is an issue have fallen from 67% to 47%. Additionally, fewer think volatility of EV values is problematic – down from 40% to 31%.

Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline Motor Finance, said: “EVs are appearing on the used market in ever greater numbers and handling them is becoming an everyday part of the job for more dealers. As a result, we’re seeing higher levels of acceptance.

“It’s not just electric cars themselves where we are seeing improvements in dealer perceptions but supporting factors such as the charging infrastructure and the stabilisation of values and prices. These are potentially important developments.

“However, it undeniably remains significant that more than a third of dealers still think electrification is the biggest issue facing the used sector. While our results show significant progress has been made, there is still much further to travel.”

Dealers are also less worried about a range of other issues, November’s Tracker research shows. Stock availability was named by 40% compared to 49% a year ago, staffing costs by 20% compared to 22% and premises costs by 4% compared to 14%.

Paul said: “We recently reported that our research showed the majority of dealers were viewing their prospects for Q4 of 2025 with a high degree of optimism, and these findings show there is perhaps generally less angst among dealers when it comes to a whole range of factors. Hopefully, we’re looking at this brighter mood continuing into next year.”

Compiled monthly by APD Global Research – well-known in the motor industry for their business intelligence reporting and customer experience programs – the Startline Used Car Tracker this month questioned 302 consumers and 60 dealers.