Tesla topped the list of marques offering the greatest average profit potential of all cars sold via Carwow daily online auctions in Q2, with an estimated average dealer margin of £2,991. Meanwhile, the Tesla Model Y came top in the list of individual models with the greatest potential profit over the same period, with an average potential margin of £3,224. This is the first time a single manufacturer has topped the profitability charts for brands and models in the same quarter.
To calculate the potential profit, excluding fees and prep costs, Carwow looked at the difference between actual selling prices at auction and cap ‘Retail’. All vehicles considered are grade 1 condition. It identified that used Tesla units averaged the greatest profit potential, ahead of Lexus at £2,964 and Land Rover in third place with £2,930. Audi and Jaguar completed the top five with predicted average profits of £2,702 and £2,644, respectively.
Looking at specific models, second in the rankings behind the Model Y was the BMW 3 Series with a potential profit of £2,703. Third place was occupied by Ford’s Puma (£2,627), which appears twice in the top 10 for Q2 with two different trim levels. Fourth place was occupied by the Mercedes-Benz GLB (£2,480) and the Cupra Formentor in fifth (£2,423).
In the new car market, Carwow data also reveals that the JAECOO 7 was the most-configured new model on Carwow in the second quarter of the year, driving 81% more configurations and 55% more enquiries to JAECOO retail partners than the second-placed model, the Hyundai Tucson. The Kia Sportage completed the top three most-configured models on the platform, since 1 April.
Since Carwow launched its stock acquisition service in 2021, it has helped add more than 235,000 used vehicles to dealer forecourts, worth a combined value of £3 billion.
James Pollard, Carwow’s Global Commercial Director - Sell My Car, said: “Our analysis of Q2 shows strong dealer demand across the used market for both premium and affordable brands, with a diverse mix of models making it into the top 10.
"One in four new car buyers are now choosing to go electric, and we expect EV uptake to accelerate in the second half of the year as positivity about EVs steadily improves, more EVs get closer to price parity with ICE equivalents, and once the new government-backed Electric Car Grant starts to take effect.
"It will be interesting to see how the grant impacts the used EV market. While it will inevitably tempt more buyers into a new EV, we might see additional volatility on residual values as the new discounts come in. Despite the new grant, used EVs remain a vital stepping stone for many consumers to make the transition to EV. We expect the renewed momentum in the new EV market will build added purchase intent in the used segment, helping to drive overall demand upwards."
The full top 10 for Q2 2025 is as follows:
‘Most profitable’ makes
- Tesla. £2,991
- Lexus £2,964
- Land Rover £2,930
- Audi £2,702
- Jaguar. £2,644
- Nissan. £2,586
- Volvo £2,571
- Mazda £2,568
- Cupra £2,424
- Kia £2,403
‘Most profitable’ models
- Tesa Model Y £3,224
- BMW 3 Series £2,703
- Ford Puma £2,627
- Mercedes-Benz GLB £2,480
- Cupra Formentor £2,423
- Ford Puma £2,422
- MG ZS £2,327
- MG HS £2,072
- Mercedes-Benz CLA £1,911
- Mercedes-Benz A Class £1,841
