The most popular used cars of 2024 – and 4 things to avoid if you’re looking to sell yours
Ford Fiesta tops the list of most popular used cars, but demand for electric cars is soaring.
Used car sales jumped 7.2% in the second quarter of 2024, new industry figures have revealed.
But which are the most popular used cars with potential buyers?
According to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), there were 1,963,395 used car transactions during April to June.
This marked the sixth consecutive month of growth in the market.
Here, we reveal the most popular used cars of 2024 and examine four common mistakes that can put off buyers.
Thinking of selling your car? Here are 6 questions to ask first
The 10 most popular used cars of 2024
As one of the UK’s best-loved motors, it’s no surprise that the Ford Fiesta came top of the tables, with 77,236 changing hands during this period.
Next up were the Vauxhall Corsa and Ford Focus, with 63,713 and 59,042 sales respectively.
Table: most popular used cars & number of transactions
| Rank | Model | Number of sales |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ford Fiesta | 77,236 |
| 2 | Vauxhall Corse | 63,713 |
| 3 | Ford Focus | 59,042 |
| 4 | VW Golf | 58,915 |
| 5 | Mini | 42,658 |
| 6 | BMW 3 Series | 41,740 |
| 7 | Vauxhall Astra | 40,671 |
| 8 | VW Polo | 37,464 |
| 9 | Nissan Qashqai | 36,883 |
| 10 | BMW 1 Series | 32,540 |
Significantly, used battery electric vehicles recorded their highest-ever market share, with sales rocketing by 52.6%.
The figures also revealed black to be the most-sold colour, with 415,588 transactions.
At the other end of the scale, there were just 9,938 sales of brown cars.
Most popular used cars: older, more affordable models in demand
While there is an increase in the number of sales, research from car-selling site MOTORS also found that the average price for used cars fell by £222 month-on-month in June and now stands at £17,168.
Interestingly, the research also found that buyers are increasingly focused on what it described as ‘older essential purchase’ cars.
According to the findings, older medium-size models priced under £10,000 remain most popular with drivers searching for a new car online and more than half of ad views are for petrol vehicles.
4 things that could be putting buyers off your car
But what if you have one of the most popular used cars, but simply can’t find a buyer?
Then, you could be making one of these four common – and often easily fixable – mistakes when trying to sell your vehicle.
- Stains on the upholstery
Marked or dirty upholstery is one of the biggest red flags for many interested buyers.
Although you may think that stains are merely cosmetic, these marks can create an impression of poor maintenance, raising concerns about the overall condition of the car.
Likewise, dirty upholstery might suggest poor hygiene, which is hardly likely to tempt a potential buyer.
If you’re scrubbing up cloth seats, most shop-bought products tend to be pretty effective when followed up with a little elbow grease with a soft-bristle brush.
- Scuffs on alloys
For many prospective buyers, alloys are a key factor in a car’s aesthetic appeal.
After all, it’s only natural to feel a sense of pride if your car looks good.
Any scuffs or marks could lead a buyer to believe that your car has been neglected and may have other issues related to wear and tear.
If you’re considering selling your car, it’s a good idea to get the alloys gleaming (or as near as possible).
Although most standard alloy cleaners work well, you should ensure you choose a non-acidic product to avoid damaging the wheel.
- Missing paperwork
Getting your paperwork in order is essential if you’d like your car to sell quickly (and at the right price).
If you don’t have the relevant documents to hand, many buyers will quite naturally have concerns about the legitimacy of your vehicle.
Before you put your car up for sale, it’s sensible to gather up documents such as your MOT certificates, V5C logbook and service history.
If you’ve lost any of these, try to find replacements before meeting potential buyers.
For example, you can apply for a duplicate logbook online or over the phone – although you may need to apply by post if your personal details have changed, which can take up to four weeks.
- Setting an unrealistic price
If you’ve cherished your car, it’s tempting to believe that it deserves a good home and should fetch a decent price.
However, it’s important to be realistic when considering how much your car is worth.
Try searching online auction sites to see what price vehicles of a similar model and condition are fetching.
Also, remember that car-buying sites can provide you with free real-time valuations for your vehicles.
Want to know what potential buyers DO want to see? Read these five tips for getting the best price for your used car.