EVs dominate fastest-selling used cars
According to the latest data from Auto Trader’s Fastest Selling Index, the 2016 Nissan Leaf was the UK’s fastest selling used car in 2021, taking an average of just 17 days to leave forecourts.
It marks only the second time a fully electric vehicle (EV) has topped the annual top 10 list during the seven years Auto Trader has monitored the market’s fastest sellers.
The Index, which tracks the potential speed at which vehicles will sell based on live supply and demand in the market, reflects the recent surge in demand for electric and low emission vehicles.
In addition to the Nissan Leaf, the top 10 included its French counterpart, the Renault Zoe (2018, automatic), which was 2019’s fastest selling used car. Last year it took an average of just 20 days to leave forecourts, making it 2021’s seventh fastest selling used car. What’s more, two petrol-hybrids also made it onto the list: the 2016 Toyota Prius (automatic) and the 2016 Toyota Yaris (automatic), taking an average of 19 days and 20 days to sell respectively.
The data also shows a stunning acceleration in the average time it takes for a used EV to sell. On average, a used EV in December sold in just 26 days, which is eight days faster than the average time it takes for a used petrol vehicle to sell (34) and four days faster than a used diesel (30).
Auto Trader’s commercial product director, Karolina Edwards-Smajda, said: “It’s incredibly positive to see a pure electric at the top of the list for 2021 for just the second time in the seven years we’ve been tracking the fastest selling used cars. There’s been a real breakthrough for EVs in the UK over the last few years, but 2021 really did mark a major step forward in terms of heightened levels of demand.
“This was driven, in part, by the greater choice and availability of models, as well as the recent fuel shortage which helped to further accelerate consumer consideration. Although we’re still some way off EVs being financially accessible for the mass market, our data does offer another clear sign of things to come and the exciting opportunity that electric vehicles represent for the industry.”
