The Vauxhall Mokka finished top of Auto Trader’s fastest selling cars of 2018 rankings – with SUVs filling eight of the top 10 places.

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class (2015, diesel automatic) topped the standings during December, taking an average 19 days to sell according to Auto Trader, but failed to make the top 10 rankings for the year as a whole.

Vauxhall’s Mokka (2015, petrol automatic) topped 2018’s standings, taking an average of 26 days to leave dealer forecourts over the 12 month period, followed by the Renault Captur (2015, diesel automatic) and Mercedes-Benz A-Class (2016, petrol manual), which both took an average 27 days to turn.

Derek Wilson, operations director, used cars, Vauxhall Motors, said: “Vauxhall is delighted that the Mokka has proved so popular with used car buyers.

“It’s testament to the enduring appeal of the Mokka and Mokka X, as well as the strength of the Vauxhall brand and the professionalism of its sales network, that demand continues to be so strong. We’re sure that this will continue during 2019.”

The Mokka knocked last year’s table-topping Kia Sportage off the number one spot after two consecutive years as Auto Trader’s fastest seller for the full-year.

Kia’s SUV did not even feature in this year’s ranking.

SUVs dominated all the same. Among the top ten fastest-sellers were: Renault Captur (2015, diesel automatic), Renault Kadjar (2015, diesel manual), Mazda CX-5 (2015, diesel manual and 2016 diesel automatic), Skoda Yeti (2015, petrol manual), and the Audi Q5 (2016, diesel automatic).

Karolina Edwards-Smajda, Auto Trader’s director of commercial products, said: “SUVs have unquestionably played a huge role in maximising profitability in 2018 and there’s little doubt this will continue to be the case during the year ahead.

“However, with SUVs taking the crown for three consecutive years, it’ll be exciting to see whether they’ll be able to make it a fourth, or if the nippy hatchback will be able to recapture the second-hand market in 2019.”

As SUVs dominated the top ten fastest selling car rankings published by Auto Trader, data from across the UK regions demonstrated their widespread forecourt appeal.

SUVs made up 77% of Auto Trader’s fastest selling used cars in 2018 and topped the rankings in East England (2016 Ford Kuga diesel manual – 30 days), East Midlands (2015 Nissan Qashqai diesel manual - 31 days), London (2015 Mitsubishi Outlander electric hybrid automatic – 14 days), North East (2015 Nissan Juke diesel manual – 29 days), Scotland (2016 Ford Kuga diesel manual – 21 days), South (2015 Volkswagen Tiguan diesel manual – 24 days), South East (2015 Vauxhall Mokka petrol automatic – 24 days), South West (2015 Ford Kuga diesel manual – 36 days), Wales (2015 Nissan Qashqai diesel manual – 37 days) and West Midlands (2016 Ford Kuga diesel manual – 29 days).