The Tesla Model 3 has been dubbed as the overall most desirable used car and EV of 2021 by Aston Barclay after it appeared in its top 10 desirability index on seven occasions: more than any other model.

The Tesla Model 3 appeared in Aston Barclay’s top 10 desirability index on seven occasions: more than any other model

Tesla’s smallest and cheapest model topped the Aston Barclay index for consecutive months in November and December and also featured in the monthly index in April, May, June, August and September, reiterating its big impact on the used market during 2021.

This was backed up by the SMMT figures for 2021, which saw it top the best-selling new EVs list by selling one third more cars than its nearest competitor, the Kia e-Niro. It was the second best-selling new car overall behind the Vauxhall Corsa, and the best-selling car in December – accounting for 9% of all new car sales in the month.

Aston Barclay’s monthly used car desirability index takes into consideration three key metrics, web views prior to sale, number of physical and online bids per sale, and the sale price achieved as a percentage of CAP average.

And the Tesla Model 3 has performed strongly against all three of those criteria, every time it’s gone under the hammer, according to Martin Potter, managing director – customer of Aston Barclay.

“In recent months we have seen some cars at between 12-18 months make close to or above retail money. Combined with its consistent new car sales performance we believe the Tesla 3 has got to be the most influential EV in 2021,” he added.

It’s not just the Tesla that’s flying high though; Aston Barclay has seen a consistent rise in the desirability of used EVs during 2021, with the Hyundai Ioniq being the first-ever EV to top its desirability index in September.

In Aston Barclay’s latest used car insights report it also saw prices of BEVs rise by 15.7% in Q4 (£3,529) to £25,883, reinforcing their increased desirability across the used market.