The Automotive Update: What were Europe’s fastest-selling used cars in April?
07 May 2026
Which models were the fastest-selling in key European used-car markets? What happened with other demand indicators for used cars? Autovista24 special content editor Phil Curry discusses all this and more in the Automotive update podcast.
This episode takes a deep dive into key European used-car markets, including the performance of residual values (RVs). Also, how is Australia adapting its electric vehicle (EV) incentives for the coming years?
Fastest-selling used cars
The latest Autovista24 Monthly Market Update revealed that trade RVs remained broadly stable across Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and the UK. While there was an overall trend of decline compared with March, value drops were mostly marginal.
The data presented in the latest report also revealed which models were the fastest selling in each market. This is based on the average days to sell, between a car entering the market and finding a new owner.
Both the Tesla Model Y and Cupra Formentor topped local used-cars charts in two of the seven analysed markets. The US model moved quickly in Austria and Germany, while the Spanish brand topped the French and UK tables.
The Dacia Sandero placed in the top five of four markets, topping the chart in Spain. In Italy, the Toyota Yaris Cross led the fastest-selling cars table. The Japanese model also placed in the top five for Austria and Spain. The SEAT Leon topped the market in Switzerland, the only market where it appeared in the top five.
Other notable performances included the Volkswagen Polo, which appeared in the tables of Austria, France and the UK. Toyota continued to prove popular, with its Corolla appearing as one of the fastest sellers in France and Spain. The Toyota Yaris also made the top five in France and Italy.
Can electric cars benefit from rising prices?
ACEA has argued that energy market volatility is strengthening the case for accelerating away from fossil fuels in road transport.
‘A technology-neutral decarbonisation strategy that embraces electrification and includes renewable fuels is essential. It is key to safeguarding Europe’s resilience, protecting consumers from price and supply shocks, and delivering a successful transition to climate‑neutral mobility,’ commented Sigrid de Vries, ACEA Director General.
The industry body has indicated a need for policy action in two areas. This includes making electricity the most affordable source of energy. Achieving this requires lowering the cost of energy used to charge EVs. This can help drive consumers and businesses into zero-emission transport.
ACEA also suggested that renewable fuels should be incentivised, based on their carbon content. Short-term measures to lower fuel prices do not currently distinguish between fuels based on their makeup.
Australia extends EV incentives
The Australian government has extended its EV incentive programme. The Electric Car Discount (ECD) was first introduced in 2022 and will be rolled out in three phases. The scheme offers a tax rebate when employees use salary sacrifice to cover the leasing costs of an EV.
Government analysis revealed the programme led to an estimated 64,000 additional battery-electric vehicle (BEV) sales between 2022 and 2025.
Phase one of the extension will run until the end of March 2027. This will extend exemptions from the country’s Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) on the portion of salary used to pay leasing instalments.
The second phase will run from 1 April 2027 to 1 April 2029. During this time, the FBT exemption will only apply to EVs with a purchase price of up to AUS $75,000 (€46,252). This measure aims to encourage manufacturers to offer more affordable BEVs in the Australian market.
EVs costing more than AUS $75,000, but below the luxury car tax threshold, will qualify for a 25% discount on payable FBT. The third phase starts on 1 April 2029, when all EVs below the luxury car tax threshold will qualify for a 25% discount on payable FBT.
