Dealer Auction data has identified the used car models delivering the strongest retail margins, offering insight into some of the best stock opportunities for dealers in 2026.
The company’s latest Retail Margin Monitor shows the petrol Peugeot 2008 delivered the highest margins in the sub £10,000 retail bracket during 2025.
It was followed by the Ford Kuga, which topped the chart in 2024, and the Nissan Qashqai, which was also the fastest-selling model in the top 10.
The annual analysis tracks the highest retail margins achieved on used vehicles bought through the Dealer Auction platform.
For the first time, fuel type has been added to the data to reflect the growing presence of hybrids and electric vehicles, meaning some models appear more than once.
The Nissan Qashqai featured prominently across price bands. Petrol and diesel versions appeared in the sub-£10,000 category, while the hybrid variant ranked third in the over-£10,000 bracket, with an average margin of £3,350.
In the over £10,000 category, established premium SUVs dominated. The Land Rover Discovery Sport led with an average margin of £3,850, followed by the Range Rover Evoque at £3,575.
Kieran TeeBoon, marketplace director at Dealer Auction, said: “This report is a brilliant gauge of long-term trends, but it’s important to look at the most up-to-date insights to stay ahead of the curve. Monthly variations reinforce this.
“For example, the Peugeot 2008 saw a late surge in popularity. What’s more, December 2025 saw three new entries, the highest amount we’ve seen all year. Could the Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Astra and Volkswagen Polo be on your radar for 2026?”
Looking at sales volumes, several models also appeared in both the margin and volume top 10 lists, including the Qashqai, Volkswagen Golf and Kia Sportage. Dealer Auction said this shows dealers are increasingly using data to identify profitable opportunities earlier.
TeeBoon added: “Pressure points around regulation, emissions and taxation didn’t disappear in 2025, but they certainly sharpened decision making. The crossovers between our most profitable models and our best sellers are evidence of this. The data is doing its job!”
Dealer Auction also introduced a new Best Buy metric that combines trade price, estimated margin, and speed to sale. For 2025, the Audi S3 topped the sub-£10,000 bracket, while the Land Rover Defender 110 led the over-£10,000 category. Other models highlighted as future opportunities include the Jaguar E-PACE, Tesla Model Y, and SEAT Tarraco.
“At the stock build stage, profit potential will always matter,” TeeBoon said. “But by adding greater depth to the data we publish, we’re hoping to help dealers take advantage of all potential profit-making vehicles and highlight those hidden gems that might not have been considered.”
At the brand level, Land Rover delivered the highest average margins for vehicles under £10,000 at £2,875, ahead of BMW at £2,300 and Mercedes-Benz at £2,275. Land Rover topped the monthly margin table in every month during the second half of 2025.
The findings come as Auto Trader forecasts the combined new and used car market will return to 2019 levels in 2026, with 10.2 million transactions expected. Used car stock volumes are also forecast to rise, following increased new-car registrations over the past two years.
TeeBoon concluded: “We’re entering 2026 with a healthy market, hopefully one of 2019 activity levels. Trade demand remains robust, with genuine opportunities to uncover margin in the right stock.
“It is, however, an increasingly complex market. Brand competition is intensifying and consumers are more willing than ever to switch. To succeed in 2026, dealers need to be sharper, faster and more data-led than ever, using real-time insight to convert open-minded consumers into buyers.”