Which used cars sell the fastest?

By Martin Pretorius

Have you ever wondered which used cars spend the least amount of time before being sold to their next owners? It's actually an important question, as it may just influence your next buying decision. The answer can be found in basic economics.

Supply and demand

One of the cornerstones of the free market economic system is the principle of supply and demand. This dictates that the value of an object or service is directly proportional to the demand for said object or service, as well as how freely it is available.

Following the same logic, it stands to reason that the demand for an object is proportional to the availability and value. Applying this to our original question, the answer leads to this: the used cars which sell the fastest are the one which offer the best value and are in highest demand.

What determines the supply (availability)?

Generally, the supply of used cars follow the same trends as new-car sales, with a few years' delay between the events, of course. This means that cars which top the sales charts at the moment will most likely flood the used-car market in a few years' time. In practical terms, this is why you'll find a used Vivo (or a dozen) on practically every late-model used-car sales floor.

But, as cars age, the picture changes somewhat. Durable cars will have a high survival rate in the pre-owned market for at least a decade after being sold, while more-fragile (or expensive to maintain) cars will fall off the pre-owned radar much quicker. Of course, if a car was sold by the thousands, the supply will also take longer to taper off, meaning that Corsa Lites, Tazzes, and the likes are still widely available and quite affordable.

Demand is driven by different factors

The most important aspect of any used car is its reputation among buyers. If a car has a poor reputation for durability and reliability, or if it is known to cost a fortune on upkeep, buyers will soon learn to steer clear of those cars. Conversely, simple-to-maintain and durable cars will earn their reputation and become highly sought-after on the pre-owned market, driving prices upwards and finding new owners very quickly.

Reputation can have other effects as well. If a car is known as a status symbol, or has earned a place in popular culture, they'll get sold just as quickly. Try finding a 6-cylinder BMW E30 3-series at a dealership and at a reasonable price, and just have a look at the prices commanded by late-model CitiGolfs and Conquest RSis while you're at it. They're all worth a pretty packet now, in spite of being positively ancient, and very few good ones will spend more than a few days on the showroom floor.

For a used car to sell quickly, it needs to be either extremely popular, extremely good value, or extremely hard to find. And if you ever encounter a car which combines all three, stand back and watch as it disappears before your very eyes...