Key takeaways
- 5–10-year-old used cars are selling the fastest, and supply in this age band is tightening.
- The Tesla Model Y led overall at 16 days to sell; Ford’s EcoSport followed at 17 days, with Focus and Fiesta also among the quickest movers.
- Ford models dominated the month’s fastest-selling list, including several discontinued nameplates.
- Across the market, average speed of sale improved to 27 days, signaling a livelier retail pace.
- 60% of the overall top 10 were in the 5–10-year bracket; the Ford Kuga (3–5-year petrol hybrid) was a notable outlier among Fords.
What’s driving the speed
Demand is concentrated around “middle‑aged” vehicles seen as affordable, reliable, and practical. As these cars become harder to source in volume, competition among buyers is pushing them off forecourts faster, especially familiar, budget‑friendly petrol Fords. Alongside this, the 3–5‑year‑old Model Y shows maturing used‑EV demand when age and price align.
Why supply is tight
Autotrader’s analysis points to a structural squeeze in 5–10‑year‑old stock. With this cohort making up most of the fastest sellers and including discontinued Ford nameplates, replenishment is lagging buyer demand, widening the gap between availability and interest.
Implications for retailers
- Prioritize sourcing of 5–10‑year‑old mainstream petrol models where pricing and running costs meet buyer expectations.
- Use real‑time data to identify fast‑turning trims, engines, and regions; refresh pricing more frequently to stay competitive.
- Broaden acquisition channels (auctions, trade‑ins, adjacent segments) to offset shortages in core age bands.
- Don’t ignore select 3–5‑year‑old, fuel‑efficient models (e.g., Kuga hybrid, certain used EVs) that can also turn rapidly at the right value point.
What buyers should expect
Desirable listings—especially well‑specified, mid‑mileage 5–10‑year‑old Fords—may spend fewer days on the market, leaving less time to act. Be ready with finance pre‑approval, alerts for new listings, and flexibility on color or trim to secure the best options quickly.
Bottom line
The market has “woken up” with faster turns and strong demand, led by a split between a headline EV (Model Y) and a cluster of older mainstream petrol Fords. With supply tightening in the 5–10‑year band, the edge will go to retailers who adapt stock profiles quickly and use data to capture fast‑moving demand.
