MG ZS tops the rankings as the hottest used car in March
Recent figures from Autotrader, the UK’s largest automotive marketplace, shows the used car market has remained resilient as the industry moves into spring, with vehicles selling in an average of 25 days so far this month – in line with the same period last year.
Topping the rankings as March’s fastest-selling used car is the MG ZS (petrol hybrid, up to one year old), which is leaving forecourts in just nine days on average, which is nearly three times faster than the wider market.
Overall, March’s data points to a solid pace of demand, driven largely by younger, affordable models from mainstream brands. Compact SUVs and hatchbacks dominate the top 10, with many turning over in less than two weeks. In fact, 80% of the fastest-selling used cars this month are under five years old, underlining a clear buyer preference for newer, value-led stock.
The data also highlights a shift in age profiles. Three-to-five-year-old cars are now the fastest-selling age cohort, averaging 25 days to sell and ending the five-to-10-year-old category’s five‑month run as the quickest‑moving stock.
Petrol powers ahead
For the first time this year, petrol is the fastest-selling fuel type, matched only by full and mild hybrids. Both are currently averaging just 24 days on forecourts. Petrol-powered cars also dominate March’s top 10, accounting for 70% of the fastest sellers.
Standout performers include the Mazda2 (five to 10 years old), CUPRA Formentor (one to three years), and the ‘nearly new’ Vauxhall Corsa (up to one year old), reflecting continued consumer appetite for reliable, budget-friendly models across a range of age brackets.
March is holding firm with demand remaining strong as cars are leaving forecourts swiftly. What’s particularly encouraging for retailers is the continued appetite for driveway staples, with smaller, affordable models delivering some of the quickest turnarounds seen so far this year. As we move deeper into spring, getting the fundamentals right – from pricing accuracy and maintaining stability, to having the right mix of fuel types and age profiles – will be key to sustaining momentum. With stable pricing supporting consumer confidence, retailers who stay close to the data will be best placed to capitalise on the high levels of buyer engagement across the market.
Whilst fastest selling data is based on past data, Autotrader retailer partners can access expected days to sell data for in and out of stock vehicles via Retail Check in Portal or via third party systems integrated through Autotrader Connect.
Fastest-selling used cars – March 2026 [1]
Slowest-selling used cars – March 2026
[1] Up to 20th March 2026
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