April’s fastest-selling used cars revealed

The 2014 Toyota Prius was April’s fastest selling used car, taking an average of 14 days to sell.

Following closely behind was the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA Class and 2016 Ford Mondeo, which took an average of 15 and 16 days to sell respectively.

It was a strong month for Toyota, which also saw its 2012 Yaris hatchback take sixth place.

Data is measured by analysing classified adverts on online marketplace Auto Trader as well as dealer websites and major auctions.

Despite recent bad press for diesel, Karolina Edwards-Smajda, Auto Trader retailer and consumer products director, said: “As we can see from the range of vehicles making up the top 10 lists across the UK, there remains a healthy demand for all fuel types of used cars.”

Just two diesel models made it into the national top 10, but six of 13 regions in the UK saw a diesel car top the fastest-selling charts.

The Toyota Prius has proved popular with used car buyers this year, also topping the charts in February.

Mark Roden, sales director at Toyota Great Britain, said: “It’s great to hear that the huge surge in hybrid sales we’re seeing in new cars across the range is also helping sell pre-owned Toyotas too.

“It’s very clear the public are embracing hybrid as the solution not only to air quality issues, but also fuel economy and enhanced cabin ambience.”

However, April’s success could be down to changes in the way vehicle excise duty is calculated. Many hybrid vehicles now face higher tax fees under new rules introduced on April 1, but any car first registered before that date and emitting less than 100g/km of CO2 is not charged tax.

The new rules saw April 2017’s new car figures drop by nearly 20 per cent compared with last year, with alternatively-fuelled vehicles such as hybrids recording their first dip in registrations for nearly four years.

Experts believe the figures will stabilise over the year as buyers become used to tax changes.