Demand for diesel cars in the used car market remain high as consumers seek out value cars offering high MPG.
Diesel cars were the fastest selling used cars across the UK in September in sharp contrast to plummeting demand in the new car market because of fears over emissions, health, the environment and future taxation.
According to Auto Trader a diesel Mercedes-Benz GLA Class was the fastest selling used car in September, taking an average of 15 days to race off forecourts.
As well as taking first and second place on the national top 10, diesels topped the list in 10 of the 13 UK regions and countries tracked, including Yorkshire where a Mercedes-Benz A Class sold in 16 days) and the West Midlands where a Mercedes-Benz A-Class sold in 20 days. In Wales a diesel Nissan Qashqai was the fastest selling cars, shifting off forecourts in 19 days while in the south a Hyundai ix35 diesel manual was the fastest seller at 14 days.
In terms of model type, SUVs dominate the regional rankings. Topping the list in East England was a diesel Kia Sportage while the Nissan Qashqai was the fastest seller in the East Midlands, Northern Ireland and Wales, shifting off forecourts in 19 days.
Karolina Edwards-Smajda, Auto Trader director of commercial products, said: “With the autumn and winter months closing in, it’s no surprise to see that SUVs are topping the list as most popular.
“More surprising perhaps, given the huge decline in the new market, is the ongoing resilience of used diesels.
“As we’ve seen elsewhere on our marketplace, they’re also retaining their value. That’s because for many motorists they are simply the best option available – particularly those that drive long distances and are looking for the efficiency that only a diesel can offer.
The UK’s Top 10 Fastest Selling Used Cars in September 2018:
| Rank |
Make/Model |
Description |
Average Days to Sell | Average Retail Price |
| 1 | Mercedes-Benz GLA | 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA Class SUV Diesel Manual | 15 | £17,132 |
| 2 | Citroen Berlingo Multispace | 2015 Citroen Berlingo Multispace Estate Diesel Manual | 16 | £10,097 |
| 3 | Vauxhall Insignia | 2012 Vauxhall Insignia Hatchback Petrol Manual | 19 | £4,874 |
| 4 | Peugeot 3008 | 2014 Peugeot 3008 Hatchback Diesel Automatic | 19 | £9,220 |
| 5 | Mazda CX-5 | 2016 Mazda CX-5 SUV Diesel Manual | 19 | £16,955 |
| 6 | Mercedes-Benz A Class | 2016 Mercedes-Benz A Class Hatchback Diesel Manual | 20 | £16,044 |
| 7 | Audi Q5 | 2016 Audi Q5 SUV Diesel Automatic | 20 | £28,142 |
| 8 | Vauxhall Antara | 2015 Vauxhall Antara SUV Diesel Manual | 20 | £9,451 |
| 9 | Mercedes-Benz GLA | 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA Class SUV Diesel Manual | 20 | £18,212 |
| 10 | Hyundai i800 | 2017 Hyundai i800 MPV Diesel Automatic | 20 | £15,974 |