December 2022 – Data from Dealer Auction’s monthly Retail Margin Monitor has revealed that the adventurous Subaru re-entered as a top 10 make in November 2022. Plus, the reappearance of top-ranking models from previous months, like the Hyundai Santa Fe, are once again offering high margins.
Looking at the top 10 models, Land Rovers took first and second place in November, with the Land Rover Discovery Sport in the number one spot with an average retail margin of £3,790, followed by the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque at £3,270.
The Audi A6 Avant has entered the top 10 models table for the first time, with an average retail margin of £2,610. With the appearance of the Audi A5 in last month’s data, Audi models are proving to be a popular choice with dealers this winter.
Further down the table, the Hyundai Santa Fe (£2,720) has also appeared for the first time since April 2022, while BMW dominates 20% of the table with the 5 Series (£2,620) and the X1 (£2,540).
Dealer Auction’s Marketplace Director, Kieran TeeBoon, commented: “This month’s data is showing high profit margins from SUVs, including popular Land Rover models that we often see in the top 10 tables. But the November data also serves as a reminder to expect the unexpected, with a brand-new Audi ranking in as a top model by retail margin.”
At brand level, Subaru has re-entered the table in November after dropping out in October and has jumped straight to the number three spot with an average retail margin of £2,900. This indicates that dealers are stocking up on SUVs and crossovers following an increase in Subaru models on the platform – further evidenced with the top-ranking Land Rover (£3,280) and second-place Jeep (£3,260).
TeeBoon concluded: “Dealers are clearly seeking out opportunities for extra profit in order to end the year on a high. Speeding up the process by using the tools readily available will have the biggest impact and ultimately afford dealers the maximum profit as the year is drawing to a close.”
Richard Walker, Data & Insights Director at Auto Trader, commented: “Despite the broader economic uncertainty, we’re continuing to see very solid price movements, with average used car prices up around 5% year-on-year. And with levels of demand remaining robust, and no indication of a significant improvement in levels of supply anytime soon, we can expect used car prices to remain stable into the new year. Retailers should have the confidence therefore to buy knowing the robust trade margins still available, even during the typically quieter festive period.”
About Dealer Auction
Dealer Auction is the UK’s smartest and busiest automotive digital wholesale marketplace. We give buyers and sellers more choice, better insight and greater margins. Dealer Auction is an independent company, created through a joint venture between Cox Automotive and Auto Trader. For more information, visit www.dealerauction.co.uk.
Launched in January 2022, Dealer Auction’s Retail Margin Monitor tracks the highest margins seen on used vehicles with a significant number of units sold under the £25,000 retail mark sold on the platform’s open network the previous month. The November 2022 edition analyses data from 1 to 30 November 2022.
