8:12 am, September 21, 2026
Used cars are flying off dealer forecourts in an average of just 29 days as the market heads into autumn with strong momentum.
New data from Autotrader shows the average second-hand car has taken one day less to sell so far in September than it did during August.
The figure is also in line with the same period last year, with smaller, practical models proving particularly popular with buyers.
Hatchbacks and compact SUVs make up the majority of the month’s 10 fastest-selling used cars, led by the MG HS.
Examples of the SUV are currently spending an average of just 16 days on dealer forecourts before finding a buyer.
The Toyota Yaris, Kia Sportage, Kia Niro, Hyundai Bayon, Honda Jazz, Suzuki S-Cross and Vauxhall Mokka Electric are also among September’s quickest sellers.
Autotrader said the results point towards buyers prioritising manageable and practical cars rather than larger premium SUVs.
The other end of the rankings backs up that trend, with older diesel Land Rover models among the slowest-selling vehicles this month.
Used EVs selling quicker than overall market
Electrified cars are also performing strongly, with hybrids and EVs accounting for seven of September’s 10 fastest-selling models.
Used EVs between three and five years old are taking an average of 25 days to sell – four days quicker than the overall used market.
When all vehicle ages are combined, petrol, electric, full hybrid and mild hybrid models are tied as the fastest-selling fuel types, each averaging 28 days.
Asian manufacturers also dominate the model rankings.
MG, Toyota, Kia, Hyundai, Suzuki and Honda collectively account for eight of the top 10 fastest-selling positions.
Meanwhile, older diesel saloons and some luxury combustion-engined models are proving considerably harder to shift.
The slowest seller so far this month is the diesel BMW 3 Series aged between 10 and 15 years.
Examples are taking more than three times as long to sell as the MG HS.
Marc Palmer, Autotrader’s head of insights, said: ‘The used car market is carrying good momentum into autumn, with healthy buyer demand reflected in the increased speed of stock turn.
‘What stands out in September is the strength of demand for practical, everyday stock, with hatchbacks and smaller SUVs prominent across the fastest selling rankings.
‘For retailers, the message is clear: the market is moving quickly, but not evenly.
‘The biggest opportunities are likely to come from stocking the vehicles that match live buyer demand, pricing them competitively, and using real-time data to identify where they can turn stock quickly while still protecting margin.’
Fastest-selling used cars – September 2026
- MG HS – SUV, petrol hybrid, up to 1 year old – 16 days
- Toyota Yaris – Hatchback, petrol hybrid, 5 to 10 years old – 19 days
- Kia Sportage – SUV, petrol hybrid, 3 to 5 years old – 19 days
- Kia Niro – SUV, electric, 3 to 5 years old – 19 days
- Hyundai Bayon – SUV, petrol hybrid, 3 to 5 years old – 19 days
- Honda Jazz – Hatchback, petrol, 10 to 15 years old – 20 days
- Suzuki S-Cross – SUV, petrol hybrid, 3 to 5 years old – 20 days
- Vauxhall Mokka Electric – SUV, electric, 3 to 5 years old – 20 days
- Mercedes-Benz A-Class – Hatchback, petrol, 5 to 10 years old – 21 days
- Toyota Yaris – Hatchback, petrol, 10 to 15 years old – 21 days
Slowest-selling used cars – September 2026
- BMW 3 Series – Saloon, diesel, 10 to 15 years old – 53 days
- Range Rover Sport – SUV, diesel, 5 to 10 years old – 41 days
- Range Rover Evoque – SUV, diesel, 10 to 15 years old – 40 days
- Mini Hatch – Hatchback, petrol, 3 to 5 years old – 39 days
- BMW 1 Series – Hatchback, diesel, 10 to 15 years old – 37.5 days
- Audi Q3 – SUV, petrol, 3 to 5 years old – 37 days
- Mini Countryman – SUV, petrol, 5 to 10 years old – 37 days
- Volvo XC40 – SUV, petrol hybrid, up to 1 year old – 37 days
- Tesla Model 3 – Saloon, electric, 5 to 10 years old – 37 days
- Volkswagen Polo – Hatchback, petrol, up to 1 year old – 36 days