Overview
Dealer Auction’s latest Retail Margin Monitor highlights 2025’s most profitable used-car models and the brands delivering the strongest margins, with Land Rover continuing to lead. The platform describes the market entering 2026 as healthy but increasingly competitive, with demand favoring well-known crossovers and SUVs and a growing need for data-led decisions.
Most profitable models by price band
Sub-£10,000
- Peugeot 2008 (petrol) — top for margin
- Ford Kuga
- Nissan Qashqai — fastest mover among the top 10
Dealer Auction also flagged the Audi S3 as a standout/top-performing model in this bracket.
Above £10,000
- Land Rover Discovery Sport — average margin £3,850
- Range Rover Evoque — average margin £3,575
- Nissan Qashqai (hybrid) — average margin £3,350
The Land Rover Defender 110 was highlighted as a standout performer above £10,000.
Volume movers in 2025
- Nissan Qashqai
- Volkswagen Golf
- Kia Sportage
These models featured in the top 10 for sales volume, underscoring the strength of mainstream family crossovers and hatchbacks.
Brand-level margins (sub-£10,000)
- Land Rover — average retail margin £2,875
- BMW — £2,300
- Mercedes-Benz — £2,275
Land Rover also topped the monthly margin table in every month of the second half of 2025, indicating consistent performance.
Models to watch for 2026
- Jaguar E-PACE
- Tesla Model Y
- SEAT Tarraco
Market context and outlook
“Pressure points around regulation, emissions and taxation didn’t disappear in 2025, but they certainly sharpened decision-making,” said Kieran TeeBoon, Dealer Auction’s Marketplace Director. “The crossovers between our most profitable models and our best sellers are evidence of this. The data is doing its job!”
He added: “We’re entering 2026 with a healthy market, hopefully one of 2019 activity levels… trade demand remains robust, with genuine opportunities to uncover margin in the right stock.”
However, he cautioned that competition is intensifying and consumers are more willing to switch brands, creating a more conquest-driven landscape. To succeed in 2026, dealers should be sharper, faster and more data-led, using real-time insights to sway choice and convert open-minded buyers.
Implications for retailers
- Prioritize high-demand crossovers/SUVs that balance margin and speed of sale (e.g., Qashqai, Kuga, 2008).
- Leverage premium SUVs where appropriate, especially strong-margin Land Rover models.
- Track electrified variants (e.g., hybrid Qashqai) where pricing aligns with running-cost expectations.
- Use real-time market data to optimize sourcing, pricing accuracy and days-to-sale.
