The fastest-selling used cars
Autotrader measures how many days a car stays advertised before it sells, for each model and age group. These figures cover 1 to 14 October 2026.
| Rank | Car | Fuel | Age | Days to sell |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toyota Yaris | Petrol hybrid | 5–10 years | 14 |
| 2 | Jaecoo 7 | Plug-in hybrid | Under 1 year | 14.5 |
| 3 | Hyundai Bayon | Petrol hybrid | 3–5 years | 17 |
| 4 | BMW 1 Series | Petrol | 10–15 years | 18 |
| 5 | Kia Niro | Electric | 3–5 years | 18 |
| 6 | Audi A3 | Petrol | 1–3 years | 18 |
| 7 | Toyota Yaris Cross | Petrol hybrid | 1–3 years | 19 |
| 8 | Kia Sportage | Petrol hybrid | Under 1 year | 19 |
| 9 | Hyundai Tucson | Petrol hybrid | 1–3 years | 19 |
| 10 | Kia Sportage | Petrol hybrid | 3–5 years | 19.5 |
The slowest-selling used cars
| Car | Fuel | Age | Days to sell |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Juke | Petrol | 10–15 years | 42.5 |
| Range Rover Sport | Diesel | 5–10 years | 41 |
| BMW 1 Series | Petrol | 3–5 years | 37 |
| BMW i4 | Electric | 3–5 years | 36.5 |
| Nissan Qashqai | Diesel | 10–15 years | 36 |
| Ford Fiesta | Petrol | 3–5 years | 35.5 |
| Vauxhall Mokka | Petrol | 10–15 years | 35 |
| Volvo XC40 | Petrol hybrid | 1–3 years | 35 |
| Kia Sportage | Diesel | 5–10 years | 35 |
| Renault Captur | Petrol | 5–10 years | 33 |
The same model can appear in both lists at different ages: a 10 to 15-year-old BMW 1 Series sold in 18 days, while a 3 to 5-year-old one took 37.
Diesel is slowest, but not disappearing
Diesels took 32 days on average, five more than petrol cars. Autotrader's head of strategy and insights, Marc Palmer, said rising fuel costs are part of the backdrop for buyers, but that "slower demand doesn't mean diesel is disappearing". Diesel prices have risen sharply this year; see our report on fuel prices and inflation.
Buyer demand is shifting too. Autotrader says demand for used diesel cars fell 19.2% year on year in September, while demand for used electric cars rose 40% over the same period. See what used EVs cost now in our used electric car prices report.
What it means if you are buying or selling
- Buying a fast seller? Popular cars go quickly, but don't let that rush you. Run a free MOT history check and work through our used car checklist before you pay a deposit.
- Buying a slower seller? A car that has been advertised for weeks may leave more room to negotiate. Check what it is worth with our car value calculator.
- Selling? See how much your car has lost with our depreciation calculator, and have its MOT history ready for buyers.
These figures come from Autotrader's October market update, published on 19 October 2026. The model rankings cover 1 to 14 October.
Questions drivers ask
What is the fastest-selling used car in October 2026?
A 5 to 10-year-old Toyota Yaris petrol hybrid, which sold in 14 days on average, according to Autotrader data for 1 to 14 October 2026.
How long does a used car take to sell?
27 days on average in October 2026, according to Autotrader, down from 30 days in September.
Do diesel cars take longer to sell?
Yes. Diesels took 32 days on average in October 2026, compared with 27 days for petrol, 26 for hybrids and 25 for electric cars.
Is demand for used diesel cars falling?
Yes. Autotrader says demand for used diesels fell 19.2% year on year in September 2026, while demand for used electric cars rose 40%.
How many used cars will be sold in 2026?
Autotrader forecasts 7.95 million used car sales in 2026, up 1.9% and the highest since 2017.
Sources
- Autotrader: Used car market accelerates in October as hybrids lead fastest-selling rankings (19 October 2026)
- Car Dealer Magazine: Toyota Yaris is Britain's fastest-selling used car as hybrids dominate rankings (20 October 2026)
Facts checked against the sources above on 3 November 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
