3-5-year-old models lead August's fastest-selling used car rankings as retail demand stays strong

Electric is the fastest-selling fuel type for the fourth month in a row, accounting for 60% of August's top 10 fastest-selling used cars.
3-to-5-year-old EVs are the market's fastest-turning segment, selling 10 days quicker than the wider market average.
MG, Tesla and Polestar account for seven of August's top 10 fastest-selling used cars, highlighting the growing prominence of newer automotive brands in the used market.

The UK's used car market continues to demonstrate strong underlying health, according to the latest data from Autotrader, with vehicles selling in an average of 30 days so far this month. Within that robust retail environment, electric vehicles (EVs) remain the fastest-selling fuel type, averaging just 25 days to turn and accounting for six of August's top 10 fastest sellers, whilst strong demand for 3-to-5-year-old EVs continues to drive the pace of the market.

The rankings are led by the petrol hybrid MG ZS (1-3 years), which is leaving forecourts in just 13.5 days on average. Close behind are the pure electric Polestar 2 and MG4, both selling in just 17 days. Together, MG, Tesla and Polestar account for seven of August's top 10 fastest-selling used cars, with MG and Tesla each featuring three times, highlighting how a broader mix of newer automotive brands is increasingly competing among the market's fastest-turning used stock.

The 3-5-year-old sweet spot

August's data highlights the particular strength of demand for 3-to-5-year-old vehicles, with six of the top 10 fastest-selling used cars falling within this age bracket.

Looking at the data at a more granular level, demand is especially strong for 3-to-5-year-old EVs. The average 3-to-5-year-old electric car is currently selling within just 20 days, making it the fastest-turning segment of the market and 10 days quicker than the wider market average.

Part of that demand is being supported by improved affordability. In July, the average price of a 3-to-5-year-old electric car was £20,037, compared with £18,731 for a petrol equivalent, helping narrow the gap between electric and petrol vehicles for used car buyers.

Demand translating into retail momentum

That strength of demand is also being reflected in retail price performance. According to Autotrader's latest Retail Price Index data, like-for-like values for 3-to-5-year-old electric cars rose 10.2% year-on-year in July. The continued resilience of values reinforces the opportunities available within one of the market's fastest-moving segments.

August's fastest-selling data highlights the continued strength of the retail used car market. Demand remains robust, with vehicles continuing to sell quickly and the best-performing stock moving well ahead of the market average. Electric remains the fastest-selling fuel type, whilst the strongest demand is concentrated among 3-to-5-year-old EVs, where greater affordability is helping drive some of the fastest sales in the market.

Key spokesperson

Marc Palmer

Head of Strategy and Insights

CONNECT

"For retailers, that's a reminder that opportunity often sits in the detail. Demand isn't moving uniformly across every fuel type, age profile or model, and the vehicles performing best aren't always the ones broader market trends might lead you to expect. Staying close to live retail demand and using data to inform sourcing, pricing and merchandising decisions remains critical to identifying where the strongest opportunities lie."

Fastest-selling used cars – August 2026¹

Rank

Make

Model

Body Type

Fuel Type

Age Cohort  (years) 

Avg. days to sell

MG ZS

SUV

Petrol Hybrid

1 to 3 Years

13.5

Polestar

Polestar 2

Hatchback

Electric

3 to 5 Years

MG4

Hatchback

Electric

3 to 5 Years

Tesla

Model 3

Saloon

Electric

3 to 5 Years

MG HS

SUV

Petrol

1 to 3 Years

Hyundai

TUCSON

SUV

Petrol Hybrid

3 to 5 Years

Tesla

Model Y

SUV

Electric

3 to 5 Years

Tesla

Model 3

Saloon

Electric

5 to 10 Years

Vauxhall

Mokka Electric

SUV

Electric

3 to 5 Years

19.5

Toyota

Yaris

Hatchback

Petrol Hybrid

5 to 10 Years

Slowest-selling used cars – August 2026

Rank

Make

Model

Body Type

Fuel Type

Age Cohort  (years) 

Avg. days to sell

Kia

Sportage

SUV

Diesel

5 to 10 Years

Vauxhall

Mokka

SUV

Petrol

1 to 3 Years

Land Rover

Range Rover Sport

SUV

Diesel

5 to 10 Years

Volkswagen

Polo

Hatchback

Petrol

up to 1 Year

39.5

MINI

Countryman

SUV

Petrol

5 to 10 Years

Jaguar

E-PACE

SUV

Diesel

5 to 10 Years

40.5

BMW

1 Series

Hatchback

Diesel

5 to 10 Years

Mercedes-Benz

A Class

Hatchback

Petrol Hybrid

1 to 3 Years

Land Rover

Range Rover Evoque

SUV

Diesel

10 to 15 Years

MINI

Hatch

Hatchback

Petrol

3 to 5 Years

¹Used Cars: August 2026 (1st-12th)

Up next

New car momentum builds ahead of September plate change

Commentary | Q2 Used Car Transactions

Electric car running cost savings jump £180 in a year to almost £1,000

Top page results

No results found

About

Investors

ESG

News & views

Contact