If you’ve been keeping up with the news on CarGurus of late, you’ll know that certain second-hand electric car models have started to go up in value.
It’s a surprising turn of events. Usually, the value of a second-hand car falls as it gets older, but the models bucking the trend show that buyers are warming up to the idea of purchasing a second-hand electric car.
You might think that now is not the optimal time to buy those particular cars, then. But with CarGurus’ buying tools on hand to help, it’s still possible to sniff out a bargain.
To show you what I mean, I’ve used CarGurus’ Instant Market Value (IMV), a data-based calculation of a car’s true value, and CarGurus’ Deal Ratings, which show in plain English whether a car is a good deal or not based on its IMV, to find the diamonds in the rough; examples of the most sought-after EVs that are still going for bargain prices despite their desirability.
At the top of the list, it’s the Skoda Enyaq, which has gone up in value by a stonking 10% in the first six months of 2026. And no wonder. The Enyaq is one of the roomiest EVs around, making it an ideal choice for families in need of plenty of space.
You get a choice of battery sizes, the largest giving an official range of 373 miles, and a variety of interior styles, with most offering a surprisingly plush level of finish. You even get two different body shapes to pick between: go for the boxier tail of the standard SUV version if you need the most space, or the svelte Coupe for a little more style, and to maximise range.
The example I’ve found is the latter, a 2025 example, and with the larger 82kWh battery. In plush Edition form, it’s replete with plenty of kit: heated front seats, matrix headlights and a reversing camera all come as standard.
It’s a really good family EV, in other words. Yet despite having covered just 12,000 miles, this one’s on for a barely believable £28,189, a whopping £2,033 below its IMV. Proof positive, in other words, that you can still find a bargain despite the Enyaq’s desirability.
But what about the next electric car on the list? I have to admit to being a bit partial to a Hyundai Ioniq 5 – after all, I bought one last year – but clearly I’m not the only one, given that values rose by 9% in the first half of 2026.
And no wonder. It looks terrific, for one thing, with sci-fi retro-futuristic styling that’s still eye-catching even though the Ioniq 5 is now five years old.
But its beauty isn’t just skin-deep; a range of up to 315 miles (rising to 354 miles for the post-facelift models), combined with the ability to take on a 10-to-80 per cent charge in as little as 18 minutes on the right charger, mean it’s a great option for longer-distance drives.
Inside, there’s an airy cockpit with lots of space, and the clever split rear seats slide back and forth, allowing you to vary the amount of boot space on offer.
Even with the seats rolled back, the boot is a good size, and the car’s practicality is enhanced further by a big, useful under-bonnet storage compartment. Out on the road, meanwhile, the Ioniq 5 is responsive, and rides comfortably.
Despite all these good points – not to mention the market’s keen interest in the Ioniq 5 – there are still some stonking deals to be had. Like the 2023 Ioniq 5 77kWh I found, in Premium trim, which means it gets smaller wheels – better for the ride quality – and a decent specification, with heated seats and adaptive cruise control both coming as standard.
This one’s done a very reasonable 37,000 miles, yet it’s on for £1,695 less than it’s worth according to its IMV, at £19,170, and it’s just been reduced, too.
Finally, and third on the list of EVs that have gone up in value, there’s the BMW iX3, and what a time to be shopping for one of these. Prices have gone up 7% since the start of the year, but with the new iX3 having been just released, prices on the previous one have now just started to slide, which means there’s good reason to be haggling hard.
Mind you, if you plump for the example I found, you’ll be getting a great deal even if you don’t chip any money off the £29,000 price tag. It’s a 2023 M Sport with just 24,000 miles on the clock, which means it’s on for £1,776 less than its IMV.
These iX3s are great to drive, with surprisingly sharp handling for such a big, heavy SUV, yet they’re also smooth and roomy. And of course, being a BMW of a certain era, the iX3 comes with a beautifully built interior replete with well laid-out instruments. No wonder it’s the third most sought-after EV on the list. Thankfully, CarGurus gives you the tools to find a great deal regardless.
Related Topics:
