9:36 am, March 3, 2017
FEBRUARY was a strong month for Toyota, with the 2014 Prius hybrid automatic, and the 2014 Yaris petrol automatic topping the list as the UK’s fastest selling used cars on Auto Trader, the UK’s largest marketplace for used and new cars, taking an average of just 20 and 21 days to sell, respectively.
This is the second consecutive month an alternatively fuelled vehicle (AFV) has been included in the top three. The 2016 BMW i3 was the UK’s third fastest selling used car in January. This is consistent with wider industry trends that indicate AFVs are gaining popularity in both the used and the new car market.
Whilst Ford only managed to reach the ninth spot on the national top 10 list (2014 Ford Focus estate petrol automatic), the Blue Oval dominated across the regions, taking the top spot in London, East England, East Midlands, North West, Northern Ireland and Wales. In fact, variations of the Ford Fiesta were the top three fastest selling cars in the Capital: the 2015 Petrol Manual took an average of just 24 days to leave the forecourt, followed by the 2013 diesel manual (26) and the 2013 petrol manual (27).
February’s results revealed some interesting consistencies between the UK’s best performing used cars. Nine out of the top 10 cars that made the national list, carried 2014 badges. What’s more, seven were automatic transmissions.
Hitting targets will always be determined by how quickly a dealer can turn their stock around and using data is the key to speeding it up. According to the car classified’s site, those using Auto Trader’s i-Control data management tool took an average of just 36 days to sell a car in February compared to the market average of 67.
Karolina Edwards-Smajda, Auto Trader retailer & consumer products director, said: ‘The fact a hybrid has taken the top spot is a clear reflection of the wider industry trend. As we’ve seen over the last few months alternatively fuelled vehicles are continuing to increase their market share in both the used and new car markets, something which is supported by the SMMT. As greater penalties are placed on diesel cars, it will be interesting to see just what impact it will have.
‘It’s incredibly reassuring to see such a low turnaround for all of the cars on the national top 10. Data can help complement dealers’ own expertise to identify which vehicles are in the greatest demand in their area and therefore the most likely to sell quickly. Tools like i-Control also enable a dealership to price stock to the market and to reprice it regularly to ensure it remains attractive to buyers to improve speed of sale. It helps deliver an efficient forecourt that cuts costs, boosts turnover and increases profit.’
The UK’s Top 10 Fastest Selling Cars in February
| Rank | Description | Average Days to Sell | Average Price Position (%) | Average Retail Price |
| 1 | 2014 Toyota Prius Hatchback Electric Hybrid Automatic | 20 | 98.34 | £14,921 |
| 2 | 2014 Toyota Yaris Hatchback Petrol Automatic | 21 | 100.73 | £9,071 |
| 3 | 2014 Volkswagen Passat Estate Diesel Manual | 22 | 98.37 | £11,779 |
| 4 | 2014 Kia Sportage SUV Petrol Manual | 22 | 99.95 | £13,023 |
| 5 | 2014 BMW X1 SUV Diesel Automatic | 22 | 100.01 | £17,345 |
| 6 | 2014 Mazda CX-5 SUV Petrol Manual | 22 | 99.04 | £15,302 |
| 7 | 2016 Vauxhall Corsa Hatchback Petrol Automatic | 23 | 97.70 | £10,902 |
| 8 | 2014 Peugeot 3008 Hatchback Diesel Automatic | 23 | 99.06 | £10,139 |
| 9 | 2014 Ford Focus Estate Petrol Automatic | 23 | 99.21 | £8,661 |
| 10 | 2014 Mercedes-Benz C Class Saloon Petrol Automatic | 23 | 99.95 | £18,616 |
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