The UK’s second-hand Tesla market has seen unprecedented growth, with 4,822 used vehicles listed in February 2025, according to data from Auto Trader. This marks a 36% increase compared to December 2024 and a 70% rise from February of the previous year, indicating growing pressure on the electric car manufacturer.
Industry insiders suggest the surge in used Tesla listings could be linked to several factors, including the growing disinterest in the brand. One key issue is Elon Musk’s political views, which some British buyers find off-putting. His associations with controversial figures such as Donald Trump and far-right European parties may have alienated certain consumers. Additionally, Tesla’s technological dominance has started to diminish, with competitors offering similar innovations at more competitive prices.
Thom Groot, of the Electric Car Scheme, noted a noticeable decline in consumer enthusiasm for Tesla in recent months, while a senior executive at a major leasing firm confirmed that some buyers have been cancelling orders due to Musk’s political stance.
As used Teslas flood the market, prices have begun to fall. The price of a three-year-old Model 3 now averages £20,887 on Auto Trader, reflecting a 17% decline year-on-year. This contrasts with an 8.2% drop in used electric vehicles (EVs) overall. This price decrease is not only a sign of Tesla’s waning brand strength but also the increasing competition within the electric vehicle market.
Tesla’s stock price has also suffered, dropping by over 30% in 2025, as signals of slowing demand emerge in major international markets such as China, Australia, and Germany. In the UK, while new Tesla sales rose by 21% in February, driven by a rush to beat an impending tax increase on electric vehicles, this growth still lags behind the wider 41.7% increase in overall EV sales.
Experts believe that Musk’s political activism, a reduction in new Tesla models, and the increasing attractiveness of competing EVs are contributing to the brand’s decline. Brands such as BMW, Lexus, and other premium car manufacturers are now challenging Tesla, offering comparable performance and price points, further intensifying competition in the electric car market.
The combination of these factors suggests that the dominance Tesla once enjoyed in the electric vehicle sector may be waning, as consumer tastes evolve and competition increases.
