Feature
February in review: The biggest trends on Autotrader
Working out when's best to buy or sell your car? Here's everything from the most attention-grabbing brands to the fastest selling models
Words by: Andrew Woodhouse
Last updated on 3 March 2026 | 0 min read
If you're selling your car or looking for a new one, keeping up with UK market trends can help you time your sale to reach the right audience.
Each month, we share Autotrader data on the most viewed cars, brands, models, and colours to help guide your choices. Although online views don't guarantee sales, they highlight popular styles and features, showing where demand is strongest right now. As 2026 gets underway, these trends can make a handy guide to making smarter choices in a market that’s always changing, helping you get the best value whether you’re buying or selling your car.
Each month, we share Autotrader data on the most viewed cars, brands, models, and colours to help guide your choices. Although online views don't guarantee sales, they highlight popular styles and features, showing where demand is strongest right now. As 2026 gets underway, these trends can make a handy guide to making smarter choices in a market that’s always changing, helping you get the best value whether you’re buying or selling your car.
Most viewed brands across used and new
February’s figures show a market dominated by a handful of headline-grabbing brands, with luxury and premium names capturing the bulk of buyer attention.
• BMW stays top as in January, with over 56,000 cars listed, nearly 25 million views and around 85,000 leads. Buyers clearly want a well-priced BMW. • Mercedes-Benz and Audi both pulled in about 70,000 leads apiece, showing people are still keen on premium brands and would be willing to stretch for the right car. • Among the big names, Volkswagen had over 14.4 million views and 69,000 leads, while Ford got nearly 55,000 leads from 9.8 million views. These brands offer broad appeal and steady demand, a positive sign if you’re thinking about selling. • Everyday brands like Toyota, Vauxhall, Nissan, Kia and Hyundai also did well over February, proving there’s steady demand for practical, value-focused cars. • Aspirational brands like Porsche, Land Rover, and even luxury brands like Ferrari and Lamborghini got a lot of attention too, even though there aren’t many up for sale. February’s results show buyers are interested in both premium and well-priced mainstream brands. If you’re selling, now’s the time to highlight your car’s strengths and price it competitively - don’t miss out on turning views into real enquiries.
• BMW stays top as in January, with over 56,000 cars listed, nearly 25 million views and around 85,000 leads. Buyers clearly want a well-priced BMW. • Mercedes-Benz and Audi both pulled in about 70,000 leads apiece, showing people are still keen on premium brands and would be willing to stretch for the right car. • Among the big names, Volkswagen had over 14.4 million views and 69,000 leads, while Ford got nearly 55,000 leads from 9.8 million views. These brands offer broad appeal and steady demand, a positive sign if you’re thinking about selling. • Everyday brands like Toyota, Vauxhall, Nissan, Kia and Hyundai also did well over February, proving there’s steady demand for practical, value-focused cars. • Aspirational brands like Porsche, Land Rover, and even luxury brands like Ferrari and Lamborghini got a lot of attention too, even though there aren’t many up for sale. February’s results show buyers are interested in both premium and well-priced mainstream brands. If you’re selling, now’s the time to highlight your car’s strengths and price it competitively - don’t miss out on turning views into real enquiries.
Most viewed models across used and new
February’s numbers reveal buyers are flocking to familiar favourites, creating great opportunities for both sellers and buyers.
• The Volkswagen Golf dominates with 5.2 million views and over 25,000 leads, making it the most actively pursued model overall in February. This is closely followed by the BMW 3 Series with 4.6 million views and 17.7k leads. Both models combine strong reputation with everyday usability and when priced well, they attract serious enquiries quickly. • Premium brands remain in high demand, with models like the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, BMW 1 Series and Mercedes-Benz A-Class pulling in strong viewership and leads. Buyers still love quality and status, without breaking the bank. • Meanwhile, dependable best-sellers such as the Ford Focus, Fiesta, Volkswagen Polo, >Nissan Qashqai, and Vauxhall Corsa continue to drive consistent buyer interest. • One standout is the Porsche 911, drawing 2.3 million views from just 2.3k listings; proof that specialist and aspirational cars still command serious attention. In short, trusted names fuel the market. Sellers, focus on realistic pricing to move your car. Buyers, be quick - these popular models won’t hang around.
• The Volkswagen Golf dominates with 5.2 million views and over 25,000 leads, making it the most actively pursued model overall in February. This is closely followed by the BMW 3 Series with 4.6 million views and 17.7k leads. Both models combine strong reputation with everyday usability and when priced well, they attract serious enquiries quickly. • Premium brands remain in high demand, with models like the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, BMW 1 Series and Mercedes-Benz A-Class pulling in strong viewership and leads. Buyers still love quality and status, without breaking the bank. • Meanwhile, dependable best-sellers such as the Ford Focus, Fiesta, Volkswagen Polo, >Nissan Qashqai, and Vauxhall Corsa continue to drive consistent buyer interest. • One standout is the Porsche 911, drawing 2.3 million views from just 2.3k listings; proof that specialist and aspirational cars still command serious attention. In short, trusted names fuel the market. Sellers, focus on realistic pricing to move your car. Buyers, be quick - these popular models won’t hang around.
Most popular car colours
Black leads the way with nearly 48 million views and 200,000 leads, making it the most desirable and widely appealing colour for both buyers and sellers. And it’s popular for a reason, being sleek, timeless and easy to resell.
Grey is a close second (39.4 million views, over 155k leads), firmly in demand across premium and family models, while white (29.6 million views, 140k leads), remains popular for its clean look. Blue is the top non-neutral shade, pulling in 28 million views and almost 110k leads, combining personality with broad appeal. Silver also performs well, attracting steady interest with 84.8k leads over February, while brighter colours like red, green, orange, and yellow attract fewer buyers. So overall, neutral colours still attract the most interest, but choosing a distinctive shade can help your car stand out.
Grey is a close second (39.4 million views, over 155k leads), firmly in demand across premium and family models, while white (29.6 million views, 140k leads), remains popular for its clean look. Blue is the top non-neutral shade, pulling in 28 million views and almost 110k leads, combining personality with broad appeal. Silver also performs well, attracting steady interest with 84.8k leads over February, while brighter colours like red, green, orange, and yellow attract fewer buyers. So overall, neutral colours still attract the most interest, but choosing a distinctive shade can help your car stand out.
Most viewed car body-type across used and new
February’s data highlights strong demand for practical, everyday cars, presenting clear opportunities for buyers and sellers.
• SUVs top the charts, with 318k vehicles in stock attracting over 68 million views, and 263k leads. Buyers continue to favour the space, comfort and versatility SUVs offer. If you’re selling one, there’s a large, active audience. If you’re buying, competition remains strong – so well-priced examples move quickly. • Hatchbacks stand out for buyer intent, with nearly 310k leads from 236k listings and 55 million views, showing buyers are actively progressing to sales. For sellers, this is a highly motivated market. • Saloons and Coupes attract focused demand, with saloons drawing 21 million views from 42k cars and coupes 16.5 million from 20.6k listings. • Family-friendly estates and MPVs maintain steady engagement, showing consistent interest in space and reliability. • Convertibles also received solid attention, suggesting there’s still room in the market for lifestyle and specialist vehicles alongside everyday favourites. In summary, buyers are actively seeking versatile, practical cars, and quick action is key. Sellers enjoy strong demand across main segments.
• SUVs top the charts, with 318k vehicles in stock attracting over 68 million views, and 263k leads. Buyers continue to favour the space, comfort and versatility SUVs offer. If you’re selling one, there’s a large, active audience. If you’re buying, competition remains strong – so well-priced examples move quickly. • Hatchbacks stand out for buyer intent, with nearly 310k leads from 236k listings and 55 million views, showing buyers are actively progressing to sales. For sellers, this is a highly motivated market. • Saloons and Coupes attract focused demand, with saloons drawing 21 million views from 42k cars and coupes 16.5 million from 20.6k listings. • Family-friendly estates and MPVs maintain steady engagement, showing consistent interest in space and reliability. • Convertibles also received solid attention, suggesting there’s still room in the market for lifestyle and specialist vehicles alongside everyday favourites. In summary, buyers are actively seeking versatile, practical cars, and quick action is key. Sellers enjoy strong demand across main segments.
Deep dive: used market health
February’s data shows a healthy used market, with strongest momentum around nearly-new petrol, hybrid and electric models particularly where supply is tightening.
Among cars under one year old, several models are seeing demand outpace supply: • The Audi A5 (petrol) is up 47.7% in demand year-on-year. • The Volkswagen Golf (petrol plug-in hybrid) is up 39% in demand, while supply is down 26.9%. • The https://www.autotrader.co.uk/cars/bmw/ix> BMW iX (electric) has demand up 34.2%, with supply slightly reduced. • The MINI Electric Countryman has seen demand more than double (+113.9%), showing clear appetite for nearly-new electric SUVs. Where demand is rising and supply is falling, sellers are in a strong position. Buyers, meanwhile, should be ready to act quickly, especially on well-specified hybrid and electric SUVs. There’s also notable strength in older, specialist models. The Porsche Cayman (10–15 years, petrol) is up 35.6% in demand with supply slightly down, while premium performance and lifestyle cars such as the Audi RS6 Avant (5–10 years) are also seeing demand growth. More broadly, several three-to-five year-old hatchbacks, including the Hyundai i20, are experiencing strong market health, driven by reduced supply. This suggests continued demand for affordable, reliable everyday cars. Overall, the message is clear: well-priced nearly-new petrol, hybrid and electric cars are attracting serious interest, and desirable older performance models are holding firm. If you’re buying, be prepared to move quickly in tight segments. If you’re planning to sell, particularly ahead of the upcoming plate change, now could be a smart time to list a sought-after nearly-new SUV, hybrid or specialist performance model while demand remains strong.
Among cars under one year old, several models are seeing demand outpace supply: • The Audi A5 (petrol) is up 47.7% in demand year-on-year. • The Volkswagen Golf (petrol plug-in hybrid) is up 39% in demand, while supply is down 26.9%. • The https://www.autotrader.co.uk/cars/bmw/ix> BMW iX (electric) has demand up 34.2%, with supply slightly reduced. • The MINI Electric Countryman has seen demand more than double (+113.9%), showing clear appetite for nearly-new electric SUVs. Where demand is rising and supply is falling, sellers are in a strong position. Buyers, meanwhile, should be ready to act quickly, especially on well-specified hybrid and electric SUVs. There’s also notable strength in older, specialist models. The Porsche Cayman (10–15 years, petrol) is up 35.6% in demand with supply slightly down, while premium performance and lifestyle cars such as the Audi RS6 Avant (5–10 years) are also seeing demand growth. More broadly, several three-to-five year-old hatchbacks, including the Hyundai i20, are experiencing strong market health, driven by reduced supply. This suggests continued demand for affordable, reliable everyday cars. Overall, the message is clear: well-priced nearly-new petrol, hybrid and electric cars are attracting serious interest, and desirable older performance models are holding firm. If you’re buying, be prepared to move quickly in tight segments. If you’re planning to sell, particularly ahead of the upcoming plate change, now could be a smart time to list a sought-after nearly-new SUV, hybrid or specialist performance model while demand remains strong.
Autotrader can help you price your car, find a good deal, or pick the right time to sell your car. Finding and following trends can help you make better choices and get the most value, whether you’re buying or selling your car.