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Sell-Through Speeds By Age And Brand Reveal Your Best Targets

Imagine walking onto the forecourt and knowing exactly which cars will fly off the lot first. That’s the power of fleet visibility by age and make, and right now, it's providing some seriously sharp insights. Here's what the data is telling us and how to act on it.

✔️ The 3-5 year old sweet spot

✔️ Brand-level sell speed: who moves fastest?

✔️ Why this matters for stock strategy

✔️ Final thought

A view of a row of the back of cars, all parked up.

The 3–5-Year-Old Sweet Spot

Autotrader’s July report is crystal clear: 3–5‑year‑old used cars are the fastest sellers.

  • The Tesla Model 3, aged 3–5 years, was the fastest mover, selling in just 17 days. That’s nearly two weeks quicker than the average.
  • Hot on its heels was the Jaguar I‑PACE, another 3–5‑year EV, shifting in 18 days.
  • In fact, six of the top ten fastest sellers were in that 3–5‑year bracket.

These middle-aged models are both high in demand and priced sweet for buyers. Autotrader also shows that used EVs of 3–5 years sell in 23 days on average, beating both new and nearly-new EVs.

A close up of the side of a black Mercedes.

Brand-Level Sell Speed: Who Moves Fastest?

The fastest-selling models aren’t just EVs:

Rank

Model & Age Cohort

Days to Sell

1

Mercedes‑Benz GLB (3–5 y)

12 days

2

VW Arteon (5–10 y)

12.5 days

3

Nissan Qashqai (3–5 y)

12.5 days

4

Tesla Model 3 (3–5 y)

17 days

5

Jaguar I‑PACE (3–5 y)

18 days

 

Notice anything? It’s not just EV hotshots that move fast, premium SUVs and hybrids like Mercedes GLB and Qashqai are also clearing quickly. That’s real fuel for the “fleet visibility” engine.

Rows of cars with sun light shining down.

Why This Matters For Stock Strategy

1. Refill with High-Velocity Vehicles

Prioritise stocking 3–5-year-old GLB, Qashqai, Arteon, or Model 3 units. They're not just in demand, they're selling fastest.

2. Tailor Finance Terms by Age

  • 3–5‑year stock → standard PCP/HP packages with strong conversion.
  • 5–10‑year stock → consider extended terms or specialised offers to keep deals flowing.

3. Capitalise on EV Momentum

Middle-aged EVs are experiencing a standout spike in consumer interest, especially since inquiries for 3–5-year EVs jumped 138% year-on-year.

Final Thought

Fleet visibility isn't just a buzz term, it's a lens on what buyers want, when they want it. If you stock and finance smartly, focusing on hot-moving 3–5-year models and customising deals accordingly, you’re not just keeping up. You’re leading.

Looking to craft finance packages tailored to these fast-moving cohorts? Marsh Finance is your partner in turning data into deals. Ready when you are.

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