Used cars ‘fly off forecourts’ in just 29 days this month, a day faster than May 2024.
Hatchbacks are the current fastest selling body type, with Vauxhall’s iconic runaround topping the list as the UK’s ‘hottest’ used model.
Sunny spring reignites the UK’s love affair with the soft top, as convertibles leave forecourts three days faster than May last year.

London, 15th May 2025 – According to the latest data from Auto Trader, the UK’s largest automotive platform, used cars continue to sell quickly, taking an average of just 29 days to sell so far this month, which is one day faster than the same period in May 2024. Although two days slower than April’s average (27 days), a slight slowdown in May follows seasonal patterns.

Looking at the data at a more granular level reveals that the current fastest selling body type in the UK is the hatchback, which on average are leaving forecourts in 29 days. This is reflected in May’s list of top ten fastest selling models, which reveals the Vauxhall Corsa is currently the nation’s ‘hottest’ used car. It may be over thirty years old, but the iconic hatchback remains a favourite, with the petrol variant taking just 15[1] days to sell in May to date.

It's not just hatchbacks that have caught the attention of buyers this month. Whilst not making it onto the list of top 10 models, the recent spring heatwave has reignited the UK’s love affair with convertibles, with the average used soft top selling in 32 days in May. Although one day slower than in April (which was the sunniest on record[2]), its three days faster than in May 24[3].

In terms of age, Auto Trader’s data shows that used cars aged 5-10 years old have been consistently the fastest selling age bracket over the past 12 months, and in May to date, are selling in just 27 days, a day faster than last year. Despite making up half of this month’s top ten models, the ‘nearly new’ cohort (up to a year old) are the slowest-selling group, taking 34 days on average: a day faster than May 2024, but six days slower than last month.

Alternatively fuelled vehicles have maintained a solid position in the top ten, making up 30% of the hottest cars this May, including two pure electric vehicles. However, petrol takes the top spot this month, accounting for 60% of models, including the Corsa in first place, and is the fastest fuel-type overall, with the average used petrol car selling in 28 days. It’s followed by its fellow internal combustion engine counterpart: the average used diesel car is selling in 30 days. Full/mild hybrid and electric vehicles are taking an average of 32 and 34 days to sell respectively.

We continue to see used cars sell at a rapid pace, which is a very good barometer of market health. Despite what’s been a turbulent few months from an economic and political perspective, consumer demand for used cars remains very robust. However, whether it’s hatchbacks, convertibles, young or old, there’s huge nuance in the market, so I’d really encourage retailers to analyse the data and insights available to ensure the most profitable sourcing and pricing strategy.

Key spokesperson

Marc Palmer

Head of Strategy and Insights

CONNECT

Whilst fastest selling data is based on historic data, Auto Trader’s retailer partners can access expected days to sell data for in and out of stock vehicles via Retail Check in Portal or through third party systems integrated through AutoTrader Connect.

Fastest-selling used cars in May 2025 [4]

Rank

Make

Model

Body Type

Fuel Type

Age Cohort

Fastest-selling used cars in May 20254

Vauxhall

Corsa

Hatchback

Petrol

up to 1 Year

CUPRA

Formentor

SUV

Petrol

up to 1 Year

15.5

Honda

Civic

Hatchback

Petrol

3 to 5 Years

Vauxhall

Mokka

SUV

Petrol

up to 1 Year

Mercedes-Benz

A Class

Hatchback

Petrol

1 to 3 Years

MG ZS

SUV

Electric

up to 1 Year

17.5

Ford

Explorer

SUV

Electric

up to 1 Year

17.5

Mercedes-Benz

A Class

Saloon

Petrol Plug-in Hybrid

3 to 5 Years

17.5

Renault

Kadjar

SUV

Petrol

3 to 5 Years

Dacia

Duster

SUV

Diesel

5 to 10 Years

18.5

Slowest selling used cars in May 2025

Rank

Make

Model

Body Type

Fel Type

Age Cohort

Median Retailer Days Before Sold

Nissan

Leaf

Hatchback

Electric

1 to 3 Years

Land Rover

Range Rover

SUV

Diesel

10 to 15 Years

48.5

Ford

Kuga

SUV

Petrol Plug-in Hybrid

up to 1 Year

Jaguar

I-PACE

SUV

Electric

up to 1 Year

Volkswagen

Polo

Hatchback

Petrol

up to 1 Year

BMW

SUV

Electric

1 to 3 Years

BMW

SUV

Petrol Plug-in Hybrid

1 to 3 Years

52.5

Land Rover

Range Rover Sport

SUV

Diesel

10 to 15 Years

Vauxhall

Corsa Electric

Hatchback

Electric

1 to 3 Years

Volkswagen

Taigo

SUV

Petrol

up to 1 Year

[1] Petrol variant aged up to 1 year old

[2] https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/blog/2025/how-close-are-we-to-breaking-spring-records

[3] 35 days

[4] Up to 13th May 2023

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