MINI Hatch makes debut in Dealer Auction’s top 10 profit-turners

MINI’s iconic hatchback has appeared in Dealer Auction’s Retail Margin Monitor top 10 models for the first time.

Despite models like the MINI Countryman and Convertible previously featuring in the chart, the model has made its inaugural appearance, with an average retail margin of £2,475 securing it 10th place.

Dealer Auction’s marketplace director Kieran TeeBoon said that, historically, the Retail Margin Monitor has been dictated by SUVs, so these numbers could indicate a fresh opportunity for profit this Spring.

Elsewhere in the table, a consistent top performer, the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, topped the charts once more with an average retail margin of £3,925, followed by the Jaguar XF (£2,800).

Another model to watch was the third-place Mazda CX-5 (£2,775), which proved to be the fastest-selling profit-turner, selling in just 37 days on average. It was also the top-rated model, with an Average Auto Trader Retail Rating of 81.1.

TeeBoon said: “Industry observers might recall the CX-5 was our fastest-seller for three months in a row last year. While it hasn’t reached the lofty heights of its £3,000+ margin and 23-day selling time, its performance in February is certainly something to keep an eye on.

“It’s also a timely reminder that it can pay off to look past the number one profit-turner, as other stock might prove more suitable stock for dealers, depending on their needs. It’s a prime example of the importance of looking at all the information available.”

At brand level, Land Rover continued to reign supreme with an average retail margin of £4,200, followed by BMW in second place (£3,000).

It was also a strong month for Mercedes-Benz, which moved into third place with an average retail margin of £2,775, overtaking Volvo from last month. The brand also saw three cars feature in the model chart, with the mix of vehicle types – the C-Class coupé, A-Class hatchback and E-Class saloon – demonstrating the broad appeal of this premium marque.

Elsewhere, MINI continued to be a stalwart in the chart, with an average retail margin of £2,450 – mirroring the MINI Hatch’s performance for the month. Toyota also appeared in the top 10 for only the second time.

TeeBoon concluded: “February’s results were a resounding triumph for premium models, but dealers shouldn’t shy away from stock diversity. There’s been recent industry discussion about us being in a push market, one that punishes inactivity and rewards consistent proactivity.2 With these unique profit opportunities, it’s clear that data is the tool dealers need to thrive in a push market.” 

Richard Walker, data & insight director, commented: “February was another positive month for the used car market – demand was strong, stock sold quickly, and more cars were sold than last year and the margin monitor findings support this. For those retailers not lucky enough to be selling cars that appear in the monitor, we’d strongly urge retailers to utilise Auto Trader valuations data to maximise the full potential currently available in the market.”