Top 10 Most Popular Used EV Salary Sacrifice Cars in 2026
This is not a list of the used EVs reviewers like. It is a list of the used EVs UK employees actually choose when they get the option through salary sacrifice.
Most editorial round-ups of "best used EVs" are written by motoring journalists ranking cars on range, depreciation curves and press-fleet impressions. This list is different. It is built from real order data across thousands of used EV salary sacrifice arrangements placed through The Electric Car Scheme. The cars below are the ones drivers pick, in the rank order they pick them, with the salary sacrifice case for each.
The pattern that emerges is the interesting part. Used salary sacrifice does not pull drivers down-market. It pulls them up-market at the same monthly cost. Six of the top 10 are premium German, Swedish or British brands. Tesla holds both top spots. The story this list tells is not affordability for its own sake. It is access to a premium electric car at a price that finally makes sense.
How salary sacrifice changes used EV demand
Salary sacrifice lets employees pay for an electric car from their gross salary, before Income Tax and National Insurance are taken. That can save 20 to 50% compared to leasing the same car personally. The Benefit-in-Kind tax rate sits at 4% for 2026/27, and it applies to used electric cars at the same level as new.
That last point is what unlocks the used market. A two or three-year-old premium EV has already taken the worst of its depreciation hit, so the monthly lease rate is significantly lower than the equivalent new car. Combine that with the salary sacrifice tax saving and the BiK rate, and a used Polestar 2 or Tesla Model 3 often costs about the same per month as a new budget EV. That is the trade-up effect that runs through this entire list. For the full mechanic, see how the scheme works.
Here is what UK employees are actually choosing.
#1. Used Tesla Model 3
The Model 3 leads the used book by a clear margin. It is the car that defined the modern EV and the one most drivers test-drive first, so it makes sense that it tops the list when the used price brings it within reach. The combination of long real-world range, the Tesla charging network and a tech-led cabin that still feels current after three years is hard to beat at the monthly cost.
The salary sacrifice case is straightforward. A used Model 3 through The Electric Car Scheme often lands at a monthly cost close to a new MG4 or Omoda 5, which is the kind of trade-up that defines why drivers go used in the first place. Same monthly outgoing, very different car.
"Tesla has been at the top of our used book since the day we started offering used cars. The brand familiarity matters and the charging network matters, but the biggest factor is the price-to-spec ratio. A used Model 3 through salary sacrifice gives our drivers most of what they want from a new Tesla, at a monthly cost that makes sense on a real salary. We see it in the data every quarter." Thom Groot, Co-founder and CEO, The Electric Car Scheme
Indicative monthly cost: From around £300/month after salary sacrifice savings, 40% tax band.
Best for: Commuters and longer-distance drivers who want range, tech and the charging network without the new-Tesla monthly cost.
#2. Used Tesla Model Y
The Model Y takes the second spot, and the gap to the Model 3 is closer than the rank order suggests. It is the Model 3's mechanical twin in SUV form, which is exactly what makes it the family choice. More boot space, more rear-seat headroom, the same powertrain and the same access to the Supercharger network.
For families and dog owners specifically, the used Model Y through salary sacrifice is one of the strongest cases on the list. A new equivalent SUV from a premium brand would carry a meaningfully higher monthly cost. A used Model Y closes that gap without compromising on the practicality side of the equation.
Pair it with The Charge Scheme to cut the cost of charging at home and on the road.
Indicative monthly cost: From around £320/month after salary sacrifice savings, 40% tax band.
Best for: Families who want SUV practicality and Tesla tech, at a monthly cost closer to a hatchback.
#3. Used Jaguar I-Pace
The I-Pace is the clearest example of the premium-at-budget-price effect on this list. It launched at a price north of £65,000 and has depreciated hard since. That makes the used monthly cost through salary sacrifice substantially lower than the badge would suggest, while the car itself remains a genuine luxury EV with the build, the interior and the on-road presence of a premium SUV.
It is the car drivers pick when they want their EV to feel like an event, not just a sensible decision. The used market is what makes it accessible, and salary sacrifice is what makes the maths work.
Indicative monthly cost: From around £413/month after salary sacrifice savings, 40% tax band.
Best for: Drivers who want a genuine luxury EV badge and feel, at a mainstream monthly cost.
#4. Used BMW iX3
The iX3 sits in the top half of the list for a simple reason. It is a BMW X3, which is one of the best-selling premium SUVs in the country, and the electric version delivers the same driving feel, the same cabin quality and the same brand experience as the petrol or diesel cars on every other driveway in the school car park.
Through used salary sacrifice, the iX3 becomes a credible step up for drivers who would otherwise have stretched for a new mid-tier EV. You get the BMW brand and the BMW cabin without the BMW new-car premium.
Indicative monthly cost: From around £415/month after salary sacrifice savings, 40% tax band.
Best for: Drivers who want the BMW driving experience and brand, without the new-car monthly cost.
#5. Used Volvo XC40 Electric
The XC40 Electric is the Scandinavian choice on the list and a consistent top-10 fixture. Volvo's safety reputation does heavier lifting here than most marketing teams give it credit for. For drivers with children, the XC40 is the car that often closes the deal because the safety story is genuinely market-leading and the cabin design feels grown-up without being cold.
It is also a sensibly sized SUV rather than a giant one, which suits UK roads and city parking better than some of the larger options on this list.
Indicative monthly cost: From around £322/month after salary sacrifice savings, 40% tax band.
Best for: Family drivers who want a premium feel, strong safety credentials and a sensible footprint.
#6. Used Volkswagen ID.3
The ID.3 is the only mainstream hatchback in the top six, and that is part of why it earns its spot. Not every salary sacrifice driver wants an SUV or a premium badge. Some want a Golf-sized EV that does the school run, the supermarket and the occasional long trip without fuss. The ID.3 is that car.
The used proposition is particularly strong because the ID.3 has had time to settle. Early software issues have been largely resolved through updates, and the used market reflects more mature stock than the launch cars.
Indicative monthly cost: From around £285/month after salary sacrifice savings, 40% tax band.
Best for: Drivers who want a no-fuss hatchback EV at a sensible monthly cost.
#7. Used Mercedes-Benz EQC
The EQC is the second example on this list of a launch-era premium EV that has depreciated hard, which makes it a strong used proposition. It is a big, comfortable, quietly luxurious SUV with the Mercedes badge and the Mercedes interior, and the used monthly cost through salary sacrifice puts it within reach of drivers who would not have considered it new.
Range is on the lower end of this list, which is worth flagging for drivers doing serious mileage. For commuters and family drivers who charge at home or work, it is a non-issue.
Indicative monthly cost: From around £439/month after salary sacrifice savings, 40% tax band.
Best for: Drivers who want a full-size luxury SUV experience at a mid-market monthly cost.
#8. Used Polestar 2
The Polestar 2 is the design-led pick on the list and earns its place because it offers something genuinely different from the Tesla, German and Volvo options. Sharper styling, a focused interior and a sportier driving feel make it the car drivers choose when they want their EV to say something specific.
Through used salary sacrifice, the Polestar 2 lands at a monthly cost that makes it a real alternative to the Model 3 rather than a more expensive parallel. Drivers tend to pick one or the other based on whether they want the tech and charging network of Tesla or the design and feel of Polestar.
Indicative monthly cost: From around £299/month after salary sacrifice savings, 40% tax band.
Best for: Drivers who want premium design and a sharper driving feel, without going German or American.
#9. Used Mercedes-Benz EQA
The EQA is the more affordable Mercedes on this list, sized closer to a compact SUV than the larger EQC. It is the car drivers pick when they want the Mercedes badge and cabin in a more manageable footprint, and the more practical monthly cost that comes with the smaller body.
It does not have the range or the presence of the EQC, but it is easier to park, cheaper to insure and more in line with what most drivers actually need day to day.
Indicative monthly cost: From around £317/month after salary sacrifice savings, 40% tax band.
Best for: Drivers who want the Mercedes badge in a sensible, easy-to-live-with package.
#10. Used Kia e-Niro
The e-Niro rounds out the list and earns its spot through quiet competence. It is not a premium badge, it is not a design statement and it does not have the latest tech. What it has is range, space, reliability and consistently strong reviews across years of production. For pragmatic drivers, it is the obvious choice.
Through used salary sacrifice, the e-Niro represents the most affordable end of the top 10, and that matters. Not every employee wants to trade up. Some want a practical EV at the lowest monthly cost they can manage.
Indicative monthly cost: From around £303/month after salary sacrifice savings, 40% tax band.
Best for: Pragmatic drivers who want range, space and reliability at the lowest monthly cost on the list.
What the Used EV salary sacrifice data actually tells us
Three patterns are worth pulling out of this list, because they are not what most people expect.
The first is Tesla dominance. The Model 3 and Model Y hold the top two spots, and the gap between them and the rest of the list is significant. For all the noise about Tesla losing ground to Chinese brands in the new car market, the used Tesla market through salary sacrifice is strong and consistent. The combination of brand familiarity, the Supercharger network and the price-to-spec ratio on used Teslas keeps demand high.
The second is premium brand presence. Six of the top 10 are premium German, Swedish or British brands. That is not what you would expect from a list framed around affordability. It is the clearest evidence of the premium-at-budget-price effect at work. When salary sacrifice removes the tax and depreciation friction, drivers reach for the brands they actually want, not the brands they would settle for at full new-car prices.
The third is what is missing. Chinese OEMs dominate the new EV salary sacrifice book, with MG, Omoda and BYD all moving into the top 10 of new orders. They are entirely absent from the top 10 used. That is partly a function of these brands being newer to the UK market with limited used stock, and partly a function of buyer behaviour. Drivers going used through salary sacrifice consistently pick established brands they already know and trust.
"The thing that surprised us most when we ran this data was how clearly it shows employees trading up, not down. When you remove the tax friction and the depreciation hit, drivers don't pick the cheapest car they can find. They pick the badge they actually want. Six of our top 10 used cars are premium brands, and that pattern has been consistent for three years now. Used salary sacrifice is the only mechanism in the UK that genuinely makes that possible." Thom Groot, Co-founder and CEO, The Electric Car Scheme
Frequently asked questions
Which used EV on this list has the longest range?
The Tesla Model 3 has the longest real-world range on the list, with later versions of the Long Range variant typically covering 280 to 320 miles per charge in everyday use. The Tesla Model Y and BMW iX3 follow closely. Range varies by version, year and battery condition, so check the specific listing for each car.
Which is the cheapest used EV salary sacrifice option in this top 10?
The Kia e-Niro is typically the lowest monthly cost on the list through salary sacrifice. The Volkswagen ID.3 is the next most affordable. Both deliver strong range and practicality at the lower end of the indicative monthly costs shown above. Use the salary sacrifice calculator for a personal figure based on your salary and tax band.
Why are there no Chinese-brand EVs on this used top 10?
Chinese-brand EVs like MG, Omoda and BYD have only recently entered the UK market in volume, so the supply of used stock is still limited. They are already a significant part of new EV salary sacrifice orders, and we expect them to start appearing in the used top 10 over the next two to three years as the first wave of new orders come off lease.
Can I salary sacrifice a used EV that is not on this list?
Yes. The cars above are simply the most-ordered used EVs on The Electric Car Scheme. We have hundreds of used EVs available at any time across a wide range of makes and models. If you have a specific car in mind, get an instant quote or browse all available used EVs.
Which used EV is best for families?
The Tesla Model Y, Volvo XC40 Electric and BMW iX3 are the strongest family choices on the list. Each delivers a usable boot, comfortable rear seats and a real-world range that handles family weekends away. The Volvo XC40 has the strongest safety credentials of the three.
How often is this list updated?
This list is refreshed quarterly based on the latest used EV salary sacrifice orders placed through The Electric Car Scheme. Rank order, indicative monthly costs and supporting commentary are all reviewed each quarter to keep the picture current.
How does range on a used EV compare to a new one?
For most used EVs on this list, real-world range is broadly comparable to new because the cars are typically under three years old and EV batteries are designed to retain most of their capacity for 15 years or more. Some early-generation EVs (such as some Jaguar I-Pace and Mercedes EQC examples) will have shorter range than the latest models, but this is offset by the significantly lower monthly cost.How this list is built
How this list is built
This list is built from real order data across used EV salary sacrifice arrangements placed through The Electric Car Scheme since 2024. Ranking reflects relative demand, not editorial opinion. The list is refreshed quarterly as new orders come in.
Indicative monthly costs are based on the quote tool at time of writing and vary by salary, tax band, lease term and stock availability. For a personal quote on any of the cars above, use the calculator or see what is available now.
Want to get a Used EV on salary sacrifice?
These are the used EVs UK employees pick most often through salary sacrifice. The next question is what any of them would actually cost you.
"This list will look different in 2027. Chinese brands will start appearing in the used top 10 as the first wave of new orders come off three-year leases and hit the second-hand market. The premium dominance will not disappear, but the mix will shift, and we will be watching it closely. The next two years are going to be the most interesting yet for used EV salary sacrifice." Thom Groot, Co-founder and CEO, The Electric Car Scheme.
Get an Instant Quote on a specific model, or browse all used EVs on the scheme to see what is available right now.
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Last updated: 15/05/2026
Our pricing is based on data collected from The Electric Car Scheme quote tool. All final pricing is inclusive of VAT. All prices above are based on the following lease terms: 10,000 miles pa, 36 months, and are inclusive of Maintenance and Breakdown Cover. The Electric Car Scheme's terms and conditions apply. All deals are subject to credit approval and availability. All deals are subject to excess mileage and damage charges. Prices are calculated based on the following tax saving assumptions: England & Wales, 40% tax rate. The above prices were calculated using a flat payment profile. The Electric Car Scheme Limited provides services for the administration of your salary sacrifice employee benefits. The Electric Car Scheme Holdings Limited is a member of the BVRLA (10608), is authorised and regulated by the FCA under FRN 968270, is an Appointed Representative of Marshall Management Services Ltd under FRN 667174, and is a credit broker and not a lender or insurance provider.
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