If you want your used car search to be as painless as possible there’s something to be said for opting for one of the most popular models.
After all, popular is bound to mean plentiful, so you’re almost guaranteed to have lots of choice without having to travel far from home, plus there will be a wide range of trim levels, fuel types and engine sizes to suit different tastes and budgets.
WHAT THE USED CAR MARKET IS DOING IN 2019
The list below details the best-selling used cars in the UK according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which sourced ownership data from the DVLA. It is based on figures for the third quarter of 2019, during which 2,076,382 cars changed hands. That represents an increase of 0.9% compared with the same period in 2018. By comparison, the market for new cars continues to struggle in 2019, with a year-to-date performance that is down by -2.9% compared with 2018.
As with the new car market, demand for alternative fuel vehicles such as hybrid and electric is increasing, with 13% more cars of this type being registered in the third quarter of 2019 than the same period in 2018. However, it is still petrol and diesel cars that account for 98.2% of the used car market (unlike the new car market, demand for used diesels remains stable).
To see the top 10 best selling used cars in the UK keep scrolling down the page. If any of them take your fancy simply follow the links to find some great deals from top-rated dealers via CarGurus.
TOP 10 BEST SELLING USED CARS IN THE UK
1 . Ford Fiesta
Number registered in third quarter of 2019: 90,428
CarGurus says: It’s no surprise to see the Fiesta occupy the top spot. It is, after all, also the best-selling new car in the UK by a country mile. Although not the roomiest supermini around, the Fiesta can still just about accommodate a family of four, but what really makes it stand out is how enjoyable it is to drive.
Search for a used Ford Fiesta on CarGurus
2. Vauxhall Corsa
Number registered in third quarter of 2019: 77,101
CarGurus says: The Corsa represents excellent value for money and later versions are much better to drive than you might expect. That’s particularly the case if you can find one fitted with Vauxhall’s turbocharged 1.0-litre petrol engine.
Search for a used Vauxhall Corsa on CarGurus
3. Ford Focus
Number registered in third quarter of 2019: 75,093
CarGurus says: As with the Fiesta, the Focus stands out from its rivals because it’s just so enjoyable to drive, with responsive steering and a good range of engines that includes Ford’s 1.0-litre, three-cylinder EcoBoost unit.
Search for a used Ford Focus on CarGurus
4. Volkswagen Golf
Number registered in third quarter of 2019: 67,649
CarGurus says: The Golf can trace its roots back to the 1970s when it replaced the rear-engined Beetle with a front-engined, front-wheel-drive design. With such a long history there is a Golf to suit every budget, whether it’s a cheap old runabout for a couple of hundred pounds or a four-wheel-drive R model with a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine that gives it the pace to keep up with much more expensive sports cars.
Search for a used Volkswagen Golf on CarGurus
5. Vauxhall Astra
Number registered in third quarter of 2019: 63,906
CarGurus says: It might lack the more premium image of a Volkswagen Golf or Audi A3, but the Vauxhall Astra is so much cheaper to buy it’s hard to ignore. It’s also roomy and doesn’t cost much to run, plus there are go-faster VXR versions for those who crave serious performance from their family car.
Search for a used Vauxhall Astra on CarGurus
6. BMW 3 Series
Number registered in third quarter of 2019: 47,617
CarGurus says: In recent years premium-badged cars such as the 3 Series have stolen huge numbers of buyers from the likes of the Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall Insignia with their appealing image and excellent driving dynamics. Opt for a diesel and you’ll also benefit from exceptional fuel economy, with cars such as the 320d able to return around 50mpg in normal driving as well as often being cheap to tax.
Search for a used BMW 3-Series on CarGurus
7. MINI
Number registered in third quarter of 2019: 45,181
CarGurus says: When BMW relaunched the MINI brand in 2001 nobody could have guessed how popular it would turn out to be. Part of that is down to the car’s retro styling and the amount of personalisation buyers can specify, but it’s also been helped enormously by the fact that MINIs are great fun to drive and have strong residual values, making them more affordable to own than you might expect.
Search for a used MINI on CarGurus
8. Volkswagen Polo
Number registered in third quarter of 2019: 40,710
CarGurus says: Although one of Volkswagen’s smallest and cheapest cars, the Polo has still always managed to encapsulate much of the brand’s appeal. True, Polos are rarely as exciting to drive as the likes of the Ford Fiesta or Mazda2, but they do offer a real feeling of quality when you get behind the wheel as well as a wide range of engines and enough space to carry four people in comfort.
Search for a used Volkswagen Polo on CarGurus
9. Audi A3
Number registered in third quarter of 2019: 33,485
CarGurus says: Essentially the A3 is a posher version of the Volkswagen Golf, but so good is Audi when it comes to designing and building interiors that it always feels like it’s worth the extra money. The most recent version with its slim infotainment screen that glides out of the dashboard is a case in point, adding a level of sophistication and desirability that buyers clearly love.
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10. BMW 1 Series
Number registered in third quarter of 2019: 32,273
CarGurus says: The BMW 1 Series adds a bit of driving verve to the small executive car market when compared with its its chief rivals, the Mercedes A-Class and Audi A3. For a long time that was attributed to BMW’s use of a front-engined, rear-wheel-drive setup, which helped to ensure a balanced chassis and communicative steering. However, even when BMW switched to front-wheel drive for the launch of the latest 1 Series in 2019, it somehow still managed to set the class benchmark for driving dynamics. With a wide range of petrol and diesel engines, and fantastic high performance models in the form of the M135i and M140i, the 1 Series represents a very tempting used car purchase.
Search for a used BMW 1 Series on CarGurus
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Nice. The fastest selling used cars across the UK.
English people love hatchbacks and superminis! Ford and Volkswagen are not just leaders in the Uk, but in Germany and Europe. When will a different car brand beat these brands?