Diesel was the fastest-selling fuel type during April as the Mitsubishi Outlander topped Auto Trader’s monthly list of successful sellers during April.

Seven of the 13 regions analysed by Auto Trader on a monthly basis saw diesel-powered vehicles top the list of fastest selling vehicles via the online retail platform with the 2015 Outlander diesel topping the national listings – taking just 14 days to turn, on average.

Karolina Edwards-Smajda, Auto Trader retailer and consumer products director, said: “It’s hugely reassuring to see that at a time when diesels are under growing pressure within the new car market, second hand diesels continue to show their resilience. And despite the negative headlines, diesels still offer excellent profit potential.” 

Five of the nationwide fastest-sellers, according to Auto Trader’s data, were diesel-powered, meanwhile.

Auto Trader said that diesel was the most desirable fuel type in: the East Midlands (2017 Ford Kuga – diesel manual – 18 days); North East (2015 Nissan Qashqai – diesel manual – 24 days); Northern Ireland (2015 VW Golf – diesel manual – 31 days); Scotland (2016 Ford Kuga – diesel manual – 15 days); South of England (2015 BMW 3 Series – diesel automatic – 19 days); Wales (2015 Ford Kuga – diesel manual – 22 days); and the West Midlands (2016 Ford Kuga – diesel manual – 21 days).

Earlier this week the Auto Trader Retail Price Index showed that the average price of a used diesel vehicle was £14,555 in April, a £102 month-on-month increase and a £939 jump on the £13,616 recorded in April 2017.

However, growth in used petrol prices continued to outstrip diesel, rising by 10% in April on a like-for-like basis to £10,790 – a £78 month-on-month increase and a £1,732 jump compared to April 2017.