Super Gran: BMW’s mighty MPV Tourer takes the top spot in April

According to the latest data from Auto Trader, the 2018 BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer (petrol automatic) was the UK’s fastest selling used car in April, taking an average of just 16 days to leave forecourts. Big was clearly best last month with MPVs and SUVs making up six of the top 10.

In terms of fuel type, it appears diesel was April’s fool, counting for just three of the national fastest sellers. It was a similar story across the UK: of the 13 countries and regions tracked, the much-maligned fuel type made up less than a third (31%) of the fastest selling used cars, with their petrol counterparts benefitting from the ongoing consumer uncertainty and confusion.

However, the move from diesel wasn’t purely to petrol. In London the Mayor’s green air strategy, which saw the introduction of the Ultra-Low Emission Zone on the 8^th April, is already resulting in an apparent shift in consumer buying behaviour. Three of the top fastest selling used cars in the Capital were alternatively fuelled vehicles (AFVs), including the top spot, which was claimed by the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander (hybrid, automatic), taking a seriously impressive 10 days to sell on average.

The 2015 variation of the Outlander (hybrid, automatic) was fourth fastest, with 15 days, and a 2016 Toyota Yaris (hybrid, automatic) was sixth, with 16 days. It’s the highest number of low-emission vehicles to feature on any of the top 10 lists, either regionally or nationally. It also follows March’s nationally fastest selling, the 2014 Nissan Leaf.

Karolina Edwards-Smajda, Auto Trader’s Director of Commercial Products, said: “The sudden growth of alternatively fuelled vehicles in London is evidence of two important trends. For one, it suggests the Mayor’s decision to take a more direct approach in tackling air pollution in the Capital is having an impact on car buying behaviour.

“It’s also just one more example of a broader shift in perception towards AFVs. As we saw in our recent Market Report, 71% of consumers are already considering an EV as their next car. With more low-emission zones being introduced in other big cities, more pressure applied to drivers of older vehicles, and a long pipeline of impressive second generation of electric vehicles set to hit the market, there’s little doubt the direction of the market. Retailers’ forecourts should reflect it accordingly.” 

The UK’s Top 10 Fastest Selling Used Cars in April 2019: