BMW 2 Series April's Fastest-Selling Used Vehicles

Jason R. Sakurai
by Jason R. Sakurai

April’s fastest-selling used vehicles were led by the BMW 2 Series, according to iSeeCars. The 20 fastest-selling used vehicles averaged 28.7 days, 1.2-1.7 times faster than it took to sell an ordinary used vehicle. The fastest-selling used vehicles included a mix of sports cars, luxury vehicles, hybrids, and minivans.

“Earning the top spot is the BMW 2 Series small luxury car. It’s followed by the Mazda MX-5 Miata, Chevrolet Corvette, Mini Convertible, BMW 4 Series, and Kia Stinger. High-performance vehicles have been popular during the pandemic,” said Karl Brauer, iSeeCars executive analyst.

The Hyundai Palisade ranked fourth, followed by the Kia Telluride. “These SUVs debuted in 2020, and have sustained popularity. Not widely available used, they had an May inventory increase. Given the markup and scarcity, used versions are appealing to those unable to locate a new one, or who want to save money.”

The Tesla Model 3 made the list for the second consecutive month in sixth. “The Tesla Model 3 is the most popular EV, and has been popular since its debut. Rising gasoline prices, as well as new Model 3 price increases contributed to the popularity of used Model 3s, which great value retention.”

The Honda Odyssey and the Chrysler Pacifica minivans made the list. “The Odyssey and the Pacifica are modern minivans with premium features. More families are buying them as activities resume this spring and summer, creating a need for more spacious family haulers.”

“Car buyers may have difficulty finding the most in-demand vehicles, and end up paying a premium in the used car marketplace. While automakers prioritize their most popular vehicles in the wake of the microchip shortage, demand for these vehicles is still likely to outpace supply in the coming months,” said Brauer.

iSeeCars.com is a car search engine. Sales of 2016-2020 used cars in April were analyzed, and days listed and days on market for each model calculated. Excluded were heavy-duty vehicles, those no longer in production prior to the 2021, and low-volume models. Since when did a sedan, a four-door, become a Gran Coupe? Because BMW and a handful of other luxury carmakers deemed it so?

Dealers who subscribe to information like this will then scour the auto auctions, competing for the same vehicles and driving wholesale prices higher. While working retail, I typically bought popular vehicles not on the list, such as the Mustang. Less expensive to acquire, my margins would be greater due to these same dynamics. Unless you need to replace a vehicle now, I’d wait for the market to cool off.

[Images: BMW, iSee Cars, Kia, Tesla, Honda]

Jason R. Sakurai
Jason R. Sakurai

With a father who owned a dealership, I literally grew up in the business. After college, I worked for GM, Nissan and Mazda, writing articles for automotive enthusiast magazines as a side gig. I discovered you could make a living selling ad space at Four Wheeler magazine, before I moved on to selling TV for the National Hot Rod Association. After that, I started Roadhouse, a marketing, advertising and PR firm dedicated to the automotive, outdoor/apparel, and entertainment industries. Through the years, I continued writing, shooting, and editing. It keep things interesting.

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  • Daveo Daveo on May 14, 2021

    Interesting to see some pretty new models like the Palisade, Telluride, Model 3, and 2-Series ending up on the list. Makes you realize that people are getting out of these quicker than some cars. Guess people aren't as enamored with them as the glowing press articles would have us think...

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    • Bd2 Bd2 on May 14, 2021

      Lots of the used Tellurides are due to owners switching to the latest MY or a higher trim. Used Tellurides are going for above MSRP at auction, so the Telluride owners who were able to get theirs at MSRP are making out.

  • Cimarron typeR Cimarron typeR on May 14, 2021

    Of the used cars I 've been tracking, manual 911 coupes of any generation and manual c7s have been seen a bigger than above jump in asking prices.I think I missed my window on the 911. Oh well,lets see what the new BRZ drives like. Either way I'm waiting for the recession to buy.

  • 2ACL I have a soft spot for high-performance, shark-nosed Lancers (I considered the less-potent Ralliart during the period in which I eventually selected my first TL SH-AWD), but it's can be challenging to find a specimen that doesn't exhibit signs of abuse, and while most of the components are sufficiently universal in their function to service without manufacturer support, the SST isn't one of them. The shops that specialize in it are familiar with the failure as described by the seller and thus might be able to fix this one at a substantial savings to replacement. There's only a handful of them in the nation, however. A salvaged unit is another option, but the usual risks are magnified by similar logistical challenges to trying to save the original.I hope this is a case of the seller overvaluing the Evo market rather than still owing or having put the mods on credit. Because the best offer won't be anywhere near the current listing.
  • Peter Buying an EV from Toyota is like buying a Bible from Donald Trump. Don’t be surprised if some very important parts are left out.
  • Sheila I have a 2016 Kia Sorento that just threw a rod out of the engine case. Filed a claim for new engine and was denied…..due to a loop hole that was included in the Class Action Engine Settlement so Hyundai and Kia would be able to deny a large percentage of cars with prematurely failed engines. It’s called the KSDS Improvement Campaign. Ever hear of such a thing? It’s not even a Recall, although they know these engines are very dangerous. As unknowing consumers load themselves and kids in them everyday. Are their any new Class Action Lawsuits that anyone knows of?
  • Alan Well, it will take 30 years to fix Nissan up after the Renault Alliance reduced Nissan to a paltry mess.I think Nissan will eventually improve.
  • Alan This will be overpriced for what it offers.I think the "Western" auto manufacturers rip off the consumer with the Thai and Chinese made vehicles.A Chinese made Model 3 in Australia is over $70k AUD(for 1995 $45k USD) which is far more expensive than a similar Chinesium EV of equal or better quality and loaded with goodies.Chinese pickups are $20k to $30k cheaper than Thai built pickups from Ford and the Japanese brands. Who's ripping who off?
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