Best Selling Used Cars in 2022

Each March and September, when a new registration is released in the new car market, the used car market is bolstered by a huge range of new stock from part exchanges and vehicles being replaced.

Figures for the latest quarter have been released, and in this post, we look at the best-selling used cars in the UK for 2022 to date, what's popular, what's not, and why used car buyers are picking some used cars over others.

New Car Sales for September 2022

The behaviour of the new car market heavily influences the used UK car market, and which used cars are available. Let's take a quick look at how car buyers have been purchasing and the influence on new and used car sales.

New car purchases for September's '72' plate cars from the SMMT show a good uplift year on year with 225,269 new registrations, though an 8.2% decrease in new registrations when compared year on year to date.

Best-selling car brands in September 2022

By brand we can see that the top five best-selling new cars for a September 2022 registration were:

1. Ford - 20,735 registrations
2. Volkswagen - 18,996 registrations
3. Toyota - 15,298 registrations
4. Kia - 14,996 registrations
5. Nissan - 14,710 registrations

Best-selling car models in September 2022

By model we can see that the top five best-selling new cars for a September 2022 registration were:

1. Nissan Qashqai - 9,311 registrations
2. Tesla Model Y - 8,315 registrations
3. Volkswagen Polo - 6,476 registrations
4. Ford Puma - 4,799 registrations
5. Kia Sportage - 5,107 registrations

Diesel car sales

Diesel cars have continued to decline in number, down 3.1% September year to date and a more emphatic 43% down year on year to date. The increase in fuel costs and reduced viability of diesel engines, in the long run, means demand has decreased as car owners look for greener options.

Petrol car sales

Petrol models have seen a slight decrease in sales of 2.8% in September year to date and a 15.4% reduction in sales year on year to date.

Electric car sales

Electric cars are the big winners of 2022 to date. With more people becoming aware of the environmental benefits and more companies offering green incentives, electric cars are taking a large slice of the September 2022 registration pie.

What are the Best Selling Used Cars in the UK for 2022 so far?

 The global chip shortage, supply chain issues, and the economic downturn have had a heavy impact on motor manufacturers and new car production in 2022, driving up the value of used cars as new car availability decreased, and deals became scarce.

The used car market has benefitted from pent-up demand, as would-be new car owners gave used cars more consideration, and British buyers saw a smaller number of new car options available to them.

The Best-Selling Used Cars in 2022

The best-selling used cars of 2022 for Q1 and Q2 are:

1. Ford Fiesta - 145,280 transactions
2. Vauxhall Corsa - 118,542 transactions
3. Volkswagen Golf - 111,055 transactions
4. Ford Focus - 110,394 transactions
5. Vauxhall Astra - 84,804 transactions
6. MINI - 84,099 transactions
7. BMW 3 Series - 81,330 transactions
8. Volkswagen Polo - 68,956 transactions
9. Audi A3 - 59,973 transactions
10. BMW 1 Series - 58,918 transactions

Used car data for Q1 (January to March) and Q2 (April to June) show little change with the same cars featuring in both. The Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa, Volkswagen Golf, and Ford Focus make up the top four in both used car quarters. 

Best Selling Used Cars - Q1 and Q2 2022 Data

Second-hand car sales slowed slightly between Q1 and Q2 of 2022. Here we look at the top ten best selling used cars of 2022 so far comparing the first two quarters.

Fastest Selling Used Cars of September 2022

Due to increased demand and shorter supply, those buying used cars face stiff competition and tend to buy quickly. 

A recent survey conducted by eBay Motors Group showed the Nissan Juke as being the fastest selling used cars sold in their group during September.

The rest of the top ten fastest selling second hand cars in 2022 are:

1. Nissan Juke - Aged 3-4 years
2. Mercedes Benz A Class - Aged 3-4 years
3. Toyota Aygo - Aged 3-4 years
4. Mercedes Benz A Class - Aged 4-5 years
5. Mercedes Benz CLA - Aged 3-4 years
6. Renault Zoe - Aged 3-4 years
7. Nissan Micra - Aged 3-4 years
8. Toyota Yaris - Aged 3-4 years
9. Mercedes Benz A Class - Aged 4-5 years
10. Mercedes Benz C Class - Aged 3-4 years

As you can see, 3-4 year old second hand cars outweigh any other in the fastest selling used cars top ten, as buyers look for vehicles just out of warranty with good to low mileage for peace of mind and less chance of the car needing repairs in the near future.

Speak to DCC to Find Your Next Used Car

DCC offer a wide range of petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric used cars up to five years old. Every car we sell comes with an AA approved 128 point check, 12 months breakdown cover and 6 months warranty as standard.

Browse our live used car stocklist online, or speak to a member of our team for assistance in finding your perfect car.