Buyers Flip Luxury Cars Fast: Top 10 Resold Models Revealed
A new study from iSeeCars reveals a significant trend in the automotive market: many buyers are reselling their new vehicles within just one year of ownership. The analysis shows that nearly three out of ten new Land Rover Discovery Sports are resold in the first year, highlighting a growing phenomenon primarily associated with luxury cars.
The research, which examined over 18.5 million new cars sold during the 2023-2024 period, found that the average first-year resale rate for new cars is 3.6%. However, this rate jumps significantly for specific models, with the top ten vehicles experiencing resale rates four to eight times higher than the average.
Luxury Brands Dominate Resale Market
Luxury vehicles make up all of the top ten models most likely to be resold within the first year. The Land Rover Discovery Sport leads the pack with a resale rate of 28.3%. It is followed closely by the Porsche Macan, which has a 22.2% resale rate. Mercedes-Benz models also feature prominently, with the GLB at 21.2%, the CLA at 20.4%, and the GLA at 16.7%.
The study demonstrates that seven out of the top eight vehicles belong to either Land Rover or Mercedes-Benz, with the Range Rover Evoque (16.4%) and the Discovery (13.6%) further emphasizing the luxury market’s influence. The only non-luxury model in the top ten is the BMW 5 Series at 13.4%, followed by the Jaguar F-PACE at 13.3%.
Karl Brauer, Executive Analyst at iSeeCars, stated, “Owner dissatisfaction is the most obvious cause of these rapid resales. However, financial hardship and creative dealer accounting practices may also contribute to these statistics.” Some dealerships reportedly register demonstration vehicles as sold, which can inflate sales numbers for both the dealership and the manufacturer.
Non-Luxury Models Also Resold in High Numbers
While luxury cars dominate the resale market, some non-luxury vehicles are also resold at rates above the industry average. The MINI Clubman tops the list of non-luxury cars with a resale rate of 11.4%. Following it is the Mitsubishi Mirage G4, which is resold at a rate of 8.6%. Other notable mentions include the Mazda CX-70 at 7.2% and the Hyundai Sonata at 6.4%.
Brauer pointed out that many non-luxury cars also carry price tags exceeding $40,000, which can strain consumer budgets. With new car loan payments often exceeding $700, some buyers may find themselves unable to maintain their new purchases, leading to rapid resales.
Additionally, the analysis reveals that Porsche is the most frequently resold brand, with 16% of its cars returning to dealers within a year. Jaguar follows with a resale rate of 10.7%, while Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover sit at 9.1% and 8.9% respectively.
This trend raises questions about buyer behavior in the luxury segment. “Is this a reflection of buyers who are unable to commit, or are dealers manipulating the statistics?” Brauer mused. Likely, it is a combination of both factors influencing the rapid turnover of luxury vehicles.
For consumers looking for nearly new cars at substantial savings, these resale trends present valuable opportunities. Buyers should ensure they receive the remaining warranty coverage when purchasing these vehicles from the used market.
Methodologically, iSeeCars analyzed new car sales data from model years 2022-2025 during 2023 and 2024. The analysis utilized vehicle identification numbers (VINs) to track whether cars were re-listed between four months and a year after their initial sale. Certain categories, such as ultra-premium and low-volume models, were excluded to maintain analysis integrity.
iSeeCars is a data-driven platform that assists consumers in finding the best vehicle deals through comprehensive research and insights, having saved users over $445 million to date.
