Autotrader data reveals a strong market, driven by strong demand for affordable, reliable, and increasingly rare ‘middle-aged’ stock.
The Tesla Model Y (electric, 3-5-years-old) holds the top spot, taking an average of just 16 days to sell but Ford dominates this month’s list of fastest‑selling models. Leading the charge is the Ford EcoSport (petrol, 5-10 years) in second place (17 days), followed by the Focus (petrol) and the iconic Fiesta (petrol).
Marc Palmer, Head of Strategy and Insights at Autotrader said: “The acceleration in speed of sale to just 27 days confirms that the market has firmly woken up. The fundamentals are strong: buyer demand is high, and engagement is converting into transactions at a healthy pace.
“However, the specific popularity of 5–10-year-old vehicles highlights the structural shift in supply we predicted. As this ‘middle-aged’ stock becomes scarcer, the challenge for retailers is not just selling cars, but sourcing the right ones.
“This is where data becomes the competitive advantage. Retailers who use real-time insights to diversify their stock and spot these pockets of demand early will be best placed to turn this supply challenge into a profitable opportunity.”
Demand is concentrated in the ‘middle-aged’ market. Aside from the newer Ford Kuga (petrol hybrid, 3-5-years old), every Ford in the top ten sits within the 5–10-year-old age bracket—a segment that accounts for 60% of the entire top ten list.
Autotrader’s analysis highlights a looming reduction in availability of this profile of stock.
The fact that these 5–10-year-old cars are currently the fastest-selling cohort suggests consumers are buying this stock faster than it can be replaced.
For retailers, this represents a window of opportunity to adapt sourcing strategies to meet this demand for value and versatility.
