Tesla drivers tend to sell their vehicles faster than owners of any other major brand, according to a new report by vehicle history platform carVertical.
The study, which analysed hundreds of thousands of vehicle checks from the UK in 2024, found that the average Tesla is owned for just 29 months — less than half the national average of 62 months. This is the second year in a row that Tesla has topped the list for the shortest ownership period.
In contrast, two now-defunct brands top the list for longest ownership: Rover (128.5 months) and Saab (93.5 months). Despite no longer producing cars, these brands appear to inspire long-term loyalty — possibly due to older owners who are emotionally attached to their vehicles or who see them as collectors' items.
Tesla's short ownership period may be influenced by frequent model updates, fast-changing electric vehicle (EV) technology, and strong resale values — all of which encourage owners to upgrade sooner. However, broader market and political factors are also at play.
Tesla’s reputation has taken a hit in recent months, with global sales declining sharply. In early 2025, Tesla EV sales dropped by 62% in Germany, 41% in France, and 25% in Norway — countries where EVs are especially popular. UK registrations were more stable, falling by just 0.2% in the first quarter of 2025.
Much of this decline has been linked to the company’s CEO, Elon Musk, who took a prominent role in the 2024 US presidential election by donating over $250 million to Donald Trump’s campaign. He later joined Trump’s cabinet in February 2025, though reports now suggest he may step down in the coming weeks.
Elsewhere in the list, budget-friendly brand Dacia came second for shortest ownership (46.3 months), followed by Kia (51.1 months), Seat (52.8 months), and Hyundai (55.9 months). These brands are often popular for their value and practicality, so it's surprising to see such high turnover rates.
Brands Most Frequently Sold and Most Often Kept
Shortest average ownership periods:
1. Tesla – 29.1 months
2. Dacia – 46.3 months
3. Kia – 51.1 months
4. Seat – 52.8 months
5. Hyundai – 55.9 months
6. Škoda – 56.1 months
7. Audi – 57.3 months
8. Mercedes-Benz – 59.7 months
9. Citroën – 59.9 months
10. Vauxhall – 61 months
Longest average ownership periods:
1. Rover – 128.5 months
2. Saab – 93.5 months
3. Ferrari – 91 months
4. Porsche – 87.2 months
5. Jeep – 84.2 months
6. Subaru – 83.3 months
7. Honda – 80.3 months
8. Toyota – 80.3 months
9. Bentley – 79.4 months
10. Aston Martin – 76.9 months
The study also highlighted individual models with particularly long ownership cycles. The Mercedes-Benz 560SL, popular among collectors, has an average ownership period of 16.2 years — the longest on record. The Jaguar XJS and original Ford Capri also feature high on the list, typically held for around 16 years each.
CarVertical also looked at the number of previous owners per car. The Jeep Cherokee topped this list, averaging over six previous owners. The Mercedes-Benz S500, Toyota MR2, Mini Cooper S, and Volkswagen Lupo followed closely.
According to car expert Matas Buzelis, a high number of past owners can sometimes signal potential maintenance issues or impracticality for daily use — especially with niche or performance-focused vehicles.
Buzelis notes that context matters. Many Teslas, for example, are leased as company cars, which naturally results in more frequent changes in ownership than privately-owned vehicles.
Models with the Most Previous Owners:
Jeep Cherokee – 6.18 owners
1. Mercedes-Benz S500 – 5.96 owners
2. Toyota MR2 – 5.88 owners
3. Mini Cooper S – 5.84 owners
4. Volkswagen Lupo – 5.72 owners
The full report is based on carVertical’s analysis of UK vehicle history reports from January 1 to December 31, 2024.
