Seven common used cars that have gone up in value in the past two years – with the Toyota Aygo top

There are seven conventional cars – thousands of which are on driveways across Britain – that have risen in value in the last two years, despite their huge popularity, have higher mileage and are now older, according to a new report.

AA Cars, the car group’s used car sales platform, compared the average price of some common engines in the UK and found that some five-year-old models have probably made their owners money.

So the big question is: do you drive one of them?

The study analyzed the average price of models first registered in 2018 and turning three years old in 2021. The values ​​were analyzed during the three-month period from July to September of that year.

He then checked the price of a 2018 model (now five years old and with more mileage on the clock) in the equivalent months in 2023 to see which, if any, had gone up in value.

AA Cars found that seven had appreciated in price over the past two years as the cost of used vehicles across the country rose dramatically over the period.

In fact, according to AutoTrader’s Retail Price Index, which tracks the average advertised price of 900,000 vehicles on the used car platform, the average price of a second-hand motor in September 2021 was £16,067.

In September 2023, that average rose to £17,736, an increase of 10.4 per cent.

The Toyota Aygo saw the biggest increase, says AA Cars. A 2018 copy is worth 15.7 percent more today than in 2021.

The Japanese city car jumped from an average price of £8,331 to £9,636 during that period.

A 2018 Vauxhall Corsa would have cost £8,754 in 2021. However, it is now £9,791, an increase of £1,037 or 11.9%.

A 2018 VW Polo similar to the one pictured would have cost £12,579 on the used market three years old in 2021. But today, a 2018 Polo is worth even more, changing hands for £13,592 on average, says AA Cars

Another small, affordable engine that has increased in value in recent years is Fiat’s 500.

It is also among the highest risers in Vauxhall’s Corsa, which has been at the top of the sales charts for the past few years, snatching the number one spot from Ford’s Fiesta in 2021.

AA Cars says the average selling price of a three-year model in 2021 was £8,754, but a five-year-old Corsa today costs £9,791, or 11.9 per cent more.

And it seems that the engines that make the most money for their owners are all small vehicles that are fuel-efficient, have low insurance premiums, are cheap to tax and generally offer affordable running costs, and are probably targets as first-time cars for young drivers.

Among the others that appear to be making money for their owners are the VW Polo (up 8.1 percent), the Fiat 500 (7.3 percent), the Toyota Yaris (4.8 percent) and the automobile most bought and most owned in Britain. the Ford Fiesta (4 percent).

Rounding out the seven cars said to have increased in value over the past two years is Ford’s Focus, which gradually rose by just under 1 per cent.

AA Cars’ analysis of the cost of the most sought-after cars on its site found prices remain 3.4 per cent higher than last year.

However, average prices for the UK’s most popular used cars fell by 1.4 per cent between the second quarter of the year and the third.

A 2018 Toyota Yaris has appreciated 4.8% in the last two years, according to a study

Ford’s Fiesta is the best-selling car in Britain. Although there are more than 1.5 million in circulation, a 2018 copy is reported to have increased in value by 4% over the past two years.

Ford’s Focus is the last mainstream car to make the list, suggesting owners may have made money on the vehicle over the past two years.

Mark Oakley, director of AA Cars, said: “With the exception of some classic vehicles, we rarely see cars increase in value as they age.

‘However, persistent supply shortages mean that some of the most in-demand models are still appreciating even as they sit in the driveway.

‘This includes the Ford Fiesta, which consistently tops the list of the UK’s most popular cars, and the modern city car, the Fiat 500.

‘Used cars less than three years old have often been bought on finance and many have had just one owner, meaning they are usually in good condition and could be a great option for drivers looking for good value. -price.

‘Price appreciation is not happening across the board and there are great deals available on a wide range of cars to suit all budgets.

‘We advise anyone looking for a used car to shop around and determine what that model typically sells for at different mileages and ages.

“It’s also worth booking an independent vehicle inspection before you buy, to make sure there aren’t any issues with the car that could cost you more money to fix.”