Electric and Hybrid Cars Dominate Fastest-Selling Used Car Market
For the first time, all top 10 fastest-selling used vehicles are electrified, signaling a shift in consumer demand.
The used car market is seeing a significant shift, with electric and hybrid vehicles now occupying all of the top 10 fastest-selling spots, according to data from Autotrader. This marks the first time in recorded history that no solely petrol or diesel cars have made it into this leading group.
Eight of the quickest-to-sell used vehicles are fully electric, a notable increase from just four in the same period last year. This trend reflects a strengthening demand for used electric vehicles (EVs) in recent months. While volatile fuel prices, influenced by global conflicts, have contributed to this surge in interest, Autotrader also points to improved affordability and wider stock availability as key factors encouraging buyers into the EV segment.
The average value of used EVs rose by 1.6 percent year-on-year to £24,662, the first annual growth observed since December 2022. This stabilization in used EV prices indicates a more predictable market, allowing retailers to price stock with greater confidence.
Shifting Sales Landscape
In stark contrast to the fastest-selling vehicles, the slowest-selling used cars are predominantly petrol and diesel models, with only one petrol-hybrid appearing in the bottom 10. The slowest overall is a year-old Hyundai i10 petrol city car, which can expect to be on the market for an average of 65 days. Petrol versions of the Ford EcoSport crossover, Mini Countryman SUV, and Mini Hatch, along with a diesel Range Rover Sport, all take significantly longer to sell, ranging from 44 to 52 days.
Across all fuel types and ages, the average sale time for a used car in July was 30 days. However, vehicles aged between three and five years old are performing particularly well, selling in an average of 28 days. Within this age bracket, used EVs are selling even faster, with 2021-to-2023 models typically finding new owners in just 20 days. Autotrader attributes this to buyers recognizing the value in used EVs, especially as their prices in this segment now rival those of their petrol counterparts.
The market dynamics are also influenced by a structural shortfall in younger used stock, a consequence of pandemic-related production disruptions that reduced new car registrations. This shortfall is pushing demand into the three-to-five-year-old bracket.
Fastest-Selling Used Cars
Leading the pack is the MG ZS hybrid (1-3 years old), selling in an average of just 13 days. This is followed by the Kia Niro EV (3-5 years old) at 15 days. Several Tesla models also feature prominently, with the Model 3 (5-10 years old and 3-5 years old) and Model Y (3-5 years old) all selling in an average of 17 or 19 days. The Volkswagen ID.3 electric (3-5 years old) also sells in 17 days, highlighting the strong demand for this segment.
Other notable fast-selling models include the Polestar 2 electric (3-5 years old) at 18 days, and the Vauxhall Mokka Electric and Mini Electric Hatch (both 3-5 years old) at 19 days. The Toyota Yaris hybrid (5-10 years old) rounds out the top 10, selling in an average of 20 days.