Auto Trader has today published a list of the most desirable used cars in each region of the UK
Bodyshopmag.com reports that these models are in high demand and relatively low supply, presenting the greatest opportunity for dealers to sell quickly.
Desirability scores are based on an advanced algorithm from Auto Trader’s i-Control. It analyses a range of metrics from gross margin potential and average market speed-of-sale, to stock volumes, availability and consumer demand. Millions of data sources are churned into a score presented from 1 to 5 for any used car on the market.
A score of 5 is assigned to the most desirable models with 1 for the least. The figures are updated weekly and in all but one of the regions listed below (Eastern Scotland) the top car has changed in the last seven days.
The most desirable cars by region:
Region Make and Model Plate Rating
East Midlands Vauxhall Mokka 1.6 Exclusiv 14 4.7
South East Range Rover 5.0 Autobiography 12 4.9
Yorkshire Range Rover Sport 3.0 SDV6 HSE 63 4.8
London MINI Cooper hatchback 1.6 62 5
South Audi A7 3.0 TDI Quattro SE S tronic 16 4.8
East of England MINI One hatchback 1.6 62 4.7
North West Range Rover Sport 3.0 SDV6 HSE 14 4.8
Eastern Scotland Renault Clio 0.9 Dynamique 14 4.7
SW Scotland Audi S5 Coupe 4.2 Quattro 57 5
NE Scotland Volkswagen Golf 2.0 GTi 3dr DSG 14 5
North East Citroen C4 Picasso 1.6 VTR 63 4.7
Highlands & Islands Vauxhall Meriva 1.4 Exclusiv 61 4.8
South Wales Fiat 500 1.2 3dr Lounge 14 4.6
Mid Wales Hyundai i10 1.2 Classic 12 4.7
North Wales Mercedes-Benz C180 AMG Sport 63 4.9
West Midlands Vauxhall Meriva 1.4 Tech Line 64 4.7
Northern Ireland Honda Jazz 1.4 ES 64 4.6
South West MINI Cooper hatchback 1.6 62 4.5
‘This is the first time we’ve published a list of the most desirable cars by region,’ said Tim Marriott, Auto Trader trade solutions director. ‘And there are some interesting trends. Range Rover and MINI derivatives are in highest demand in three regions, with a further three top spots being taken by Vauxhall’s Meriva and Mokka.’
‘But while interesting, we should also be clear that this is just a snapshot of the current market,’ he added. ‘Desirability scores for more than half of the models on sale change month-by-month, so dealers can’t afford to stand still. i-Control constantly tracks the live market, to keep dealers up-to-speed and to ensure the stock they buy is always working hard for them. It also helps them manage their forecourts, by recommending price changes to align with the live market.’
This week Auto Trader will send a mail-out to dealers that includes the key to an interactive map revealing the rest of the top 10 models within their region. The map can be found at: www.autotradertop10.co.uk. The communication will also include a top-line analysis of each dealer’s overall forecourt desirability.
A wider analysis of i-Control desirability data reveals a significant proportion of dealer forecourts with stock that is not in high demand locally. 20% have forecourts that return an average desirability rating of 2.4 or less. Only one per cent report an average of more than 4.0 for their forecourt stock with a further eight per cent returning a solid rating of between 3.5 and 3.9.
