Demand grows for used cars despite diesel decline
Used cars are selling in just 27 days in October, according to the latest market data from Autotrader.
This compares to 30 days in September and 29 days in the same month last year.
Diesel remains the slowest-selling fuel type at 32 days, with the diesel Kia Sportage averaging 35 days to sell compared to just 19 days for its petrol and hybrid versions.
Overall demand for diesel vehicles has fallen 19% year-on-year, while demand for used electric cars has increased 40% over the same period.
Marc Palmer, head of strategy and insights at Autotrader, said: “The speed at which cars are leaving forecourts is another encouraging sign of the underlying health of the used car market. Despite continued economic pressures, cars are selling faster than both last month and last year, and with transactions forecast to reach their highest level since 2017, the market is carrying real momentum into the final months of 2026.
“What’s particularly interesting is what’s happening beneath that headline. Rising fuel costs are part of the backdrop for car buyers, and we’re seeing a clear difference between diesel, which is currently the slowest-selling fuel type, and the strength of hybrid models at the top of the rankings.
“But slower demand doesn’t mean diesel is disappearing; there are still parts of the market where it remains an important choice, so the opportunity for retailers is increasingly about understanding where that demand remains.”
