REVEALED: Nine out of ten of the fastest selling used cars of 2022 were hatchbacks or small city motors as drivers downsize amid soaring fuel costs

• Drivers have decided to downsize amid soaring fuel prices, AA Cars showed
• All but one of the fastest selling cars for 2022 were hatchbacks or small city cars
• This is in stark contrast to last year’s table, when eight of the top ten were SUVs 
• The BMW 116i came out on top as fastest selling, followed by the Peugeot 108 

Nine out of the ten fastest selling cars of 2022 were second-hand hatchbacks or city cars, as drivers have decided to downsize amid rising fuel prices.

This is in stark contrast to last year’s table, when SUVs made up eight of the ten fastest selling vehicles.

But fuel prices have rocketed by almost a fifth in the last year, and now smaller, cheaper to run cars appear to be most desired, according to data analysis from second hand car website AA Cars.

The BMW 116i, a family hatchback, came out on top as the fastest selling car of the year, with the Peugeot 108 coming in second, followed by the Kia Ceed.

The BMW 116i (pictured), a family hatchback, came out on top as the fastest selling car of the year

The Peugeot 108 (pictured) came second on the list of fastest selling cars for 2023. Lat year SUVs made up eight of the ten

The data looked at how long on average a car was listed before it was sold, rather than total sales or price fluctuations. 

The surging popularity of smaller, lighter and more fuel-efficient cars comes after fuel prices rose sharply in 2022. 

In the 12 months to the end of November, fuel prices rose by 17.2% according to the ONS2. 

Vans dropped in popularity, with the Ford Transit van and Volkswagen Transporter both dropping out of the top ten, along with the Audi A3.

Mark Oakley, Director of AA Cars, comments: ‘The sharply rising cost of living and fuel is inevitably influencing people’s purchasing decisions. 

‘Hatchbacks and city cars tend to be cheaper to buy than SUVs, while their smaller size and lower weight mean they can also offer better fuel economy – which makes them particularly attractive in the current market.’

‘As a result, this year’s ranking of the top 10 fastest selling used cars is almost entirely dominated by smaller and more economical models, in stark contrast to 2021’s SUV-heavy list.’

The Kia Ceed (pictured) came third on the list of fastest selling cars – which need to have had 7,000 sales or more to qualify for the list

The Vauxhall Astra featured as fifth on this year’s list of fastest selling used cars

The Citroen C1 came sixth on the list, according to AA cars

Cars need to have had 7,000 sales or more to qualify for the fastest selling list.

The analysis also showed the Ford Fiesta has retained its title of the most popular car overall for the eighth year in a row, despite Ford confirming it would cease production of the vehicle next year. 

Mr Oakley added: ‘Meanwhile 2022 might prove the high-water mark for the all-conquering Ford Fiesta, which for eight years in a row has been the most popular used car of all. 

‘Ford has confirmed that production of the Fiesta will cease next year, without saying what will replace it.’

He said the absence of Fiestas on the road would stay a firm favourite in the used-car market, but would shake things up as competitors search to overtake the much-loved car.

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