The European used car market had a remarkable year in 2025. After years of disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic, chip shortages and delivery problems, the market is finally stabilising, albeit at a different level from before. Recovery is visible in many countries, but its speed and character vary sharply from one region to another. While some markets are breaking new records, others are still searching for a new equilibrium. Shifts in purchasing behaviour, fleet age and sales channels are reshaping the landscape, as consumers adapt to higher prices and a limited supply of young used cars.
Key takeaways
- Recovery is uneven across Europe: while the Netherlands reached a new all-time record, Germany and France remain below their pre-pandemic peaks.
- Private-to-private sales are gaining importance: especially in France, where growth is almost entirely driven by consumers trading older cars among themselves.
- The used car fleet is ageing: shortages of young used cars are pushing buyers towards older vehicles, a delayed effect of weak new car sales during the pandemic years.
- Prices remain structurally high: particularly in Germany, where inflation and a growing share of well-equipped and electric used cars keep average prices elevated.
- Digitalisation is reshaping the market: countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark are benefiting from advanced online sales platforms and data-driven trading models.
The big trend: recovery with nuances
Across Europe, 2025 has been a year of cautious recovery. The deepest lows of the coronavirus years are behind us, but not all markets have returned to their former levels. One striking development is the strong growth in private sales between consumers, while professional dealers in some countries saw declining volumes. The average age of used cars sold also increased: buyers are increasingly opting for older models due to affordability concerns and the shortage of young used cars, a direct consequence of weak new car sales between 2020 and 2022.
Used car sales in figures
The table below shows total used car sales by country, with growth compared to 2024:
| Country | 2024 | 2025 | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | 6,480,000 | 6,510,000 | +0.5% |
| France | 5,353,000 | 5,396,000 | +0.8% |
| Netherlands | 2,044,000 | 2,120,000 | +3.7% |
Germany: stabilisation at a high level
The German used car market had a stable year in 2025, with approximately 6.51 million used passenger cars sold , a modest increase of 0.5% compared to 2024. This follows a strong rebound in 2024, when the market expanded by 7.4% after the coronavirus slump. Nevertheless, the market remains around 10% below its pre-pandemic level of more than 7.2 million transactions per year.
A striking feature is the persistently high price level: the average asking price stood at around €27,800, some 34.5% higher than in 2019. This price jump is driven not only by inflation, but also by the growing share of well-equipped and electric used cars entering the market through short-term leasing. Despite this, the German market remains dominated by private buyers , an estimated 93% of all transactions, with the Volkswagen Golf retaining its position as the best-selling used car. German brands continue to dominate the top 10, ranging from Audi and BMW to Opel.
Top 10 best-selling used cars in Germany in 2025
| # | Model | Sales | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Volkswagen Golf | 425,000 | +1.2% |
| 2 | Audi A6 | 285,000 | +0.9% |
| 3 | Audi A4 | 268,000 | +1.5% |
| 4 | VW Tiguan | 245,000 | +3.2% |
| 5 | VW Passat Estate | 228,000 | +0.7% |
| 6 | BMW 3 Series | 215,000 | +2.1% |
| 7 | VW Touran | 198,000 | +1.8% |
| 8 | Opel Astra | 186,000 | +0.5% |
| 9 | Mercedes C-Class | 175,000 | +1.4% |
| 10 | Opel Corsa | 168,000 | +2.8% |
France: private trade drives recovery
In France, approximately 5.396 million used cars changed hands in 2025, a modest increase of 0.8% that brought the market close to its historic 2019 peak. Almost all of this growth was driven by private-to-private sales, which rose by 13–14% to nearly three million transactions. By contrast, professional sales to consumers declined by around 2%.
This shift highlights how French consumers are responding to the shortage of young used cars. With fewer recent second-hand vehicles available, buyers increasingly traded older models among themselves. Cars more than 15 years old accounted for roughly 27–28% of all sales and recorded double-digit growth. The Renault Clio retained its crown as the best-selling used car with more than 356,000 sales, followed by the Citroën C3 and Peugeot 208. French brands together accounted for 47% of the market. Electric used cars are also gaining ground: sales rose by 30% to almost 178,000 units, signalling that electrification is beginning to leave its mark, even though its overall share remains modest at 3–4%.
Top 10 best-selling used cars in France in 2025
| # | Model | Sales | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Renault Clio | 356,657 | +1.9% |
| 2 | Citroën C3 | 174,581 | −0.5% |
| 3 | Peugeot 208 | 173,337 | +1.4% |
| 4 | Volkswagen Golf | 133,000 | +0.8% |
| 5 | Renault Mégane | 125,400 | −1.2% |
| 6 | Peugeot 308 | 118,200 | +2.1% |
| 7 | Renault Captur | 112,800 | +3.5% |
| 8 | Citroën C4 | 98,500 | +1.8% |
| 9 | Peugeot 3008 | 94,300 | +4.2% |
| 10 | Dacia Sandero | 88,700 | +5.6% |
The Netherlands: record year exceeds all expectations
The Netherlands enjoyed an exceptional year in 2025, with more than 2.12 million used cars sold , an increase of 3.7% and a new all-time record, according to industry body BOVAG. This stands in sharp contrast to the German and French markets, which remain below their previous peaks. Dutch consumers benefited from an improved supply and continued to favour second-hand vehicles over new ones, partly driven by persistently high new-car prices. The record figures underline the central role of the used car market in Dutch motoring.
Belgium and Denmark: digital pioneers with strong markets
Although Belgium and Denmark are less extensively covered in the available data on used car volumes, their developments fit neatly into the broader European picture. Both countries rank among Europe’s digital frontrunners and have a strong culture of innovation, which is also reflected in car trading. In Denmark, for example, 28% of companies use AI technology, the highest share in the EU, enabling advanced online sales platforms and more efficient trading processes. Belgium invests heavily in research and development, at 3.4% of GDP, and has a robust automotive sector that also supports the second-hand market.
Conclusion: a market in transition
The European used car market in 2025 presents a multifaceted picture. Germany is stabilising at a high price level but continues to fall short of its former volumes. France is recovering largely through private trade in older vehicles. The Netherlands is breaking records thanks to favourable conditions and strong demand. And in smaller, digitally advanced countries such as Belgium and Denmark, new forms of trade are taking shape. What all these markets share is that used cars are no longer a second choice, but have become central to European motoring.
