The used cars that have risen most in value

With new research revealing the used cars that have soared in value and those that have plummeted, we examine your chances of making a profit when flogging a second-hand motor.

In ordinary times, the value of a used car would drop over time. 

However, the second-hand market is in an odd spot, with average prices increasing by 1.5% month-on-month in April 2025.

In fact, the typical price for a used motor stood at a pretty hefty £16,984.

Reassuringly, the research also found that the average second-hand car took just 27 days to shift – a day faster than the same time last year.

The winners and losers

But the market isn’t a level playing field, with certain models proving more profitable than others.

With this in mind, the experts at AutoTrader have looked at the cars that experienced the highest and lowest price growth during this period.

Note that the researchers considered vehicles of all fuel types.

According to the findings, Toyota Land Cruiser owners could make a killing in 2025, as used models have experienced a 13% surge in prices since this time last year and are now worth £38,599.

Next up, the Hyundai i30 and Volvo S60 are also performing well, with respective growth rates of 7.7% and 7.2%.

In contrast, the resale value of the BMW iX1 has plummeted by 19.1% during this period.

The car brands with the longest – and shortest – ownership times in the UK: Tesla, Kia, Rover and Vauxhall

10 used cars with the fastest price growth

So, which models deliver the best returns?

Source: AutoTrader

Cars losing value fastest

Unfortunately, the picture isn’t quite so rosy for all drivers wanting to upgrade their vehicles.

The researchers also examined the 10 used motors with the highest ‘contraction’ during the past 12 months – ie those that have lost the most value.

Here’s what they discovered…

Source: AutoTrader

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The most popular age ranges

It seems a car’s age is key in determining its appeal to potential buyers.

According to the findings, motors aged between five and 10 years are shifting most quickly, taking just 25 days to change hands for an average £13,866.

Likewise, vehicles over 10 years old experienced a 3.3% increase in monthly prices, with buyers forking out an average £6,545.

Getting the best value for your vehicle

It’s one thing to have a highly sought-after car to sell.

However, the way that you go about selling it will have a big impact on the sale price.

If your priority is to get the highest possible price, then you will have to sell it directly yourself, perhaps even through a site such as AutoTrader.

This will involve more work though, and could take a while in order to find an interested buyer willing to pay the price you want.

A faster option will be to make use of a car-buying website such as Motorway or WeBuyAnyCar. You’ll have to accept a smaller price, but it will happen far more swiftly and at least you can guarantee getting a deal.

The last option will be part-exchanging the car with a dealership you’re using to purchase your new vehicle. Again, it’s a straightforward option, but it tends to work out the worst possible value for you.

Check out our comprehensive guide to getting the best price for your used car