A 2008-plate BMW Z4 Coupe offered the most profit potential among cars bought for under £3,000 in auctions last month, according to new data.

Analysis by Carwow, which compared selling prices of vehicles in the sub-£3,000 category in the online car-changing marketplace’s daily online auctions during May with cap Retail prices, showed a  potential profit margin for the BMW of £3,706 –  this figure factors in £1,000 to account for condition, preparation and other associated costs.

In second place was a 2014-plate Volvo XC60 with a potential profit margin of £3,100, followed by a 2014 Land Rover Evoque (£2,325), a 2014 Ford Focus (£2,300) and a 2011 plate MINI Clubman (£2,295) rounding out the top five. 

A Peugeot 308 came sixth with an estimated margin of £1,980, with a Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer close behind with a profit potential of £1,600. MINI made a second appearance in the top 10 with a five-door Hatchback (£1,598) appearing in seventh, ahead of a Lexus RX Estate (£1,550) in ninth and a Volkswagen Passat Estate (£1,395) in tenth.

According to chief commercial officer of Carwow’s Sell My Car division Sally Foote, a sports car topping the list of most profitable cars bought for under £3,000 highlights the diversity of the available stock. 

“While this top 10 doesn’t necessarily reflect actual retail sale results, it does highlight the healthy margins that are potentially available for savvy dealers specialising in this profile of stock when working retail-back,” Foote said.

“We’ve included a buffer of £1,000 as a proxy for condition, prep and other associated costs, and as ever we recommend dealers price to market based on a blend of real-time data and experience.”