The 10 fastest selling used cars of 2023 took 18 days or less to shift - do you own one?

Auto Trader has revealed which models sold quickest on average last yearThe fastest-selling motors took between 13 and 18 days to move on to buyersWe reveal the quickest-selling cars of 2024 so far - EVs dominate the rankings

If you have ever attempted to sell a second-hand car, you will understand that it can sometimes be an arduous affair.

Taking photos that are complimentary to the vehicle’s condition, writing an accurate advert description and then posting it, followed by the series of phone calls from tyre kickers and visits from potential buyers who want a test drive – it can all be frustratingly time consuming.

But not if the car you’re getting rid of is one of the fastest-selling motors.

The 10 most in-demand models of 2023 took 18 days or less to sell, according to the nation’s biggest used car marketplace, Auto Trader.

The 10 fastest-selling used cars in 2023 have been revealed: If you own one, don’t expect it to take long for you to find a buyer

And a Ford SUV was the easiest of all to move on, with sellers striking a deal in an average of just 13 days.

The used car platform has also revealed which motors are being snapped up quickest in the opening fortnight of this year.

The car with the shortest selling time of all last year was the petrol-powered Ford Kuga.

On average, sellers of this family-friendly compact SUV shook on a deal with a buyer within 13 days of listing it for sale.

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This is half the time it takes for the average duration to sell across all models, Auto Trader says.

Its data shows that, between advertising a car for sale and it being removed from the website, the average second-hand motor in 2023 took 31 days – a full month – to shift.

Slightly behind the Kuga in second position was the Mercedes-Benz A-Class hatchback hybrid, which took a similarly impressive 14 days to sell.

The A-Class Saloon – with the plug-in hybrid powertrain – proved the popularity of the nameplate by taking third spot with an average 2023 sale duration of 15 days.

In fact, the premium German marque made up three of last year’s top 10 fastest sellers, with the GLA petrol SUV in tenth spot with an average sale time of 18 days.

10 FASTEST-SELLING USED CARS OF 2023 
Make Model Body type Fuel type Age band Average days to sell
Ford Kuga SUV Petrol up to 1 year 13
Mercedes-Benz A-Class Hatchback Petrol Hybrid up to 1 year 14
Mercedes-Benz A-Class Saloon Petrol Plug-in Hybrid 3-5 years 15
Kia E-Niro SUV Electric 3-5 years 16
Kia Sportage SUV Petrol Hybrid up to 1 year 17
Kia Niro SUV Petrol Hybrid up to 1 year 17
Audi A3 Hatchback Diesel 15 years+ 17.5
Skoda Karoq SUV Diesel 1-3 years 17.5
Audi e-tron SUV Electric 3-5 years 18
Mercedes-Benz GLA Class SUV Petrol up to 1 year 18
Source: Auto Trader   

The existing Ford Kuga SUV was the fastest-selling used car of 2023, according to Britain's biggest second-hand vehicle marketplace, Auto Trader. A petrol Kuga sold on average in just 13 days of being advertised

The existing Ford Kuga SUV was the fastest-selling used car of 2023, according to Britain’s biggest second-hand vehicle marketplace, Auto Trader. A petrol Kuga sold on average in just 13 days of being advertised

The latest Mercedes-Benz A-Class hatchback was second on the list of speedy sellers. Used examples of the petrol hybrid sold on average in 14 days in 2023

The latest Mercedes-Benz A-Class hatchback was second on the list of speedy sellers. Used examples of the petrol hybrid sold on average in 14 days in 2023

The previous generation version of the A-Class in saloon form was the third quickest-selling second-hand car, with the PHEV variant finding a new owner in 15 days on average

The previous generation version of the A-Class in saloon form was the third quickest-selling second-hand car, with the PHEV variant finding a new owner in 15 days on average


Kia also had a trio of models in the quickest-sellers list, with the previous-generation E-Niro and current iterations of the Sportage hybrid and Niro hybrid taking between 16 and 17 days on average to find a next owner – good enough for fourth to six spot in the fastest-selling league table of models.

The top 10 order also shows that six of 2023’s fastest sellers were alternatively fuelled vehicles, including two all-electric models, with the Audi e-tron joining the E-Niro in the rankings.

Much older (15+ years) examples of Audi’s A3 hatch and the existing Skoda Karoq diesels completed the top 10 order, suggesting plenty of second-hand buyers still want oil burners despite the huge decline in new diesel registrations last year.

The previous-generation Kia E-Niro - an all-electric crossover - was not only the fourth fastest-selling used car of 2023 (16 days) but it's the quickest to be sold in 2024, taking just 15 days

The previous-generation Kia E-Niro – an all-electric crossover – was not only the fourth fastest-selling used car of 2023 (16 days) but it’s the quickest to be sold in 2024, taking just 15 days

Kia's existing Sportage (pictured) and Niro hybrids proved popular among second-hand buyers last year
ear old versions of both took an average of 17 days to sell in 2023. Pictured: Kia Niro petrol hybid

Kia’s existing Sportage (left) and Niro (right) hybrids proved popular among second-hand buyers last year, Auto Trader says. Year old versions of both took an average of 17 days to sell in 2023

Erin Baker, editorial director at Auto Trader, said: ‘2023 was another strong year for the used car market with cars flying off retailers’ forecourts in no time at all.

‘Britons love for SUVs shows no signs of slowing down with seven of the top ten fastest-selling cars last year coming from this body type.

‘This includes both the Ford Kuga and Kia Niro – two cars that deliver an attractive package of features, all round versatility and competitive pricing.’

While registrations of new diesel cars plummeted again in 2023, there was still plenty of demand for used versions. Older examples of the Audi A3 diesel (over 15 years old) were among the fastest-selling second-hand cars, taking an average of 17.5 days to move on

While registrations of new diesel cars plummeted again in 2023, there was still plenty of demand for used versions. Older examples of the Audi A3 diesel (over 15 years old) were among the fastest-selling second-hand cars, taking an average of 17.5 days to move on

Skoda's Karoq with the diesel engine was also popular in 2023, with an average used sale time of 17.5 days

Skoda’s Karoq with the diesel engine was also popular in 2023, with an average used sale time of 17.5 days



Audi's debut electric SUV - the e-tron - was the ninth fastest-selling used car of 2023, Auto Trader data shows

Audi’s debut electric SUV – the e-tron – was the ninth fastest-selling used car of 2023, Auto Trader data shows



One year old examples of the Mercedes GLA took an average of 18 days to sell in 2023

One year old examples of the Mercedes GLA took an average of 18 days to sell in 2023

EVs dominate the fastest-selling cars of 2024 so far… but for one major reason

As well as revealing which second-hand motors sped out of used showrooms fastest last year, Auto Trader has also run the numbers of the quickest-selling models in the opening fortnight of 2024.

And out of the top 10, five of the fastest being moved on are electric vehicles.

However, the used car sales platform says this is most likely a result of used EV prices crashing during 2023.

In fact, exclusive data shared with This is Money shows that some year-old EV models crashed in value by a third compared to a year earlier, such was the decline in demand for second-hand battery cars.

 10 FASTEST-SELLING USED CARS OF 2024 SO FAR (UP TO 13 JANUARY)
Make Model Body Type Fuel type Age band Average days to sell
Kia E-Niro SUV Electric 3-5 years 15
Toyota Prius+ MPV Petrol Hybrid 3-5 years 16
Mercedes-Benz EQC SUV Electric up to 1 year 16
Audi e-tron SUV Electric 3-5 years 18
Tesla Model 3 Saloon Electric 1-3 years 21
Hyundai IONIQ Hatchback Petrol Hybrid 1-3 years 21
Audi Q2 SUV Diesel 3-5 years 21.5
Kia Niro SUV Electric 1-3 years 21.5
Skoda Karoq SUV Petrol up to 1 year 22
Vauxhall Corsa Hatchback Petrol 1-3 years 22
Source: Auto Trader     

The Kia E-Niro – which was the fourth fastest to sell in 2023 – is the quickest to shift in the first two weeks of this year, with the average seller finding the next owner in 13 days on average.

The Mercedes EQC and Audi e-tron SUVs were third and fourth in the order, while the Tesla Model 3 (21 days) and latest Kia Niro EV (21.5 days) also made the top 10.

‘Despite the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles now being pushed back to 2035, consumers are still looking to make the transition to electric especially as prices for popular used EVs such as the Tesla Model 3 start to reach the same price point with their traditionally fuelled counterparts,’ Baker added.

Across all makes and models electric vehicles are currently the fastest-selling fuel type in the UK, taking 36 days to sell, compared to 41 for petrol and 42 for diesel, Auto Trader added.

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