Cars older than 15 years dominate the second-hand market.

For every new car sold in Spain, 1.8 used vehicles are sold. This is reflected in MSI data for the National Association of Motor Vehicle Dealers, Repairers, and Spare Parts (Ganvam), which indicates a cumulative growth of 3.7% in sales of used passenger cars and SUVs through April, with a total of 698,922 units. Although the seasonal effect of Easter caused a 12.8% drop in April (163,202 units), forecasts predict a market that will exceed two million units by the end of 2025, 2.5% above pre-pandemic levels.

By channel, car rental companies have seen the greatest growth so far this year, rising 8.6% in the first four months to 45,153 units. Only imported vehicles have surpassed them, with a cumulative increase of 12.5% ​​through April, totaling 44,176 units.

This explains why, by age, sales of used vehicles between eight and ten years old have increased the most so far this year, with a 13.7% increase, representing a total of 40,540 units. Pre-owned vehicles grew 5.4% through April, with a total of 50,010 units, while those over 15 years old—which account for 41.5% of the market and are the main focus of transactions between individuals—accumulated a 5.5% increase, with a total of 290,024 units sold.

This phenomenon is due to the aging of the fleet and the pressure of demand for large vehicles, despite the growing environmental restrictions in large cities, according to the organizers of the Used Vehicle Show, which will be held from June 3 to 8 at the Ifema Fairgrounds in Madrid.

At the other end of the spectrum, models less than a year old grew by 13%, thanks to the renewal of rental fleets ahead of the Easter tourist season.

According to Sumauto's digital business expert, Ignacio García Rojí, strengthening the market for used vehicles under five years old is essential to rejuvenating the Spanish vehicle fleet, which averages over 14.5 years. For the analyst, the rejuvenation of the fleet is incomprehensible without vehicles under five years old (pre-owned). Most of these vehicles reach the market through so-called "buyback" transactions (contract fines or fleet renewals). "These units are increasingly beginning to be marketed with a remarketing model that allows buyers to own a vehicle up to five years old much more affordably for a period of up to two years with no down payment and with all services included."

By autonomous community, Madrid (+18%) and Valencia (+11%) led the largest increases in used vehicle sales, with price being one of the main purchasing factors among consumers. In the case of the Valencian Community, this increase is largely due to the need to purchase a vehicle following the destruction of thousands of cars caused by Dana last October.

Buying a used car can be a great way to save money and access vehicles with good performance at a more affordable price. But it's important to differentiate a used car from an "old car."

The main advantages of used cars are, first, that they are usually significantly cheaper than new vehicles, allowing you to upgrade to higher-end models or save money. Furthermore, the greatest drop in a car's value occurs in the first few years, so a used vehicle has already passed that stage.

But it also has its drawbacks, because used vehicles have already been used, which means greater wear and tear on their components. The likelihood of needing repairs is higher due to age and previous use. There's a risk that the vehicle may have hidden defects or an unknown or incomplete maintenance history.

There's also the risk of being scammed, as Audi has reported. The company has filed complaints in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland against several fraudulent websites the Volkswagen Group manufacturer has identified, offering Audi models at particularly low prices.

The goal of these behaviors is to attract potential customers of the brand through nonexistent offers of used units, which constitutes fraud "since these models or similar ones cannot actually be found in the listings that these portals offer their visitors," explains Audi AG. Several customers have already fallen victim to scams when purchasing vehicles on these portals. According to the automotive group, "these buyers allegedly detected potential faults in their vehicles after the purchase and, when the sellers refused to fix them, they tried to get the manufacturer to take responsibility for their repairs."

For this reason, Ignacio García Rojí emphasizes the importance of portals like Autoscout24 and Autocasión when it comes to guaranteeing purchase and sale transactions. "Reputable portals not only make it easier to locate the best options but are always a first filter to avoid scams. While we don't guarantee the transaction, 98% of our professional clients are guaranteed, although there can always be a 'black sheep.'" To avoid this type of fraud as much as possible, it is crucial to thoroughly review the vehicle's condition, its maintenance history, and take a test drive before making the decision to buy a used car. In some cases, purchasing from a dealership rather than a private individual can offer more guarantees, albeit at a slightly higher price.

Regarding the dominant engine type in the used vehicle market, diesel cars remain the most sold option (50.8%), although their growth is limited (+2.1%), while gasoline increases by 7.2% to 36.7% of the market. However, alternative technologies are the ones that are making the most progress: used electric vehicles increased by 53.2% to 6,079 units, and plug-in hybrids by 62.4%, with 9,073 units sold.

The average price of used electric vehicles continues to fall, reaching €32,243, 12.1% less than a year ago. This decrease narrows the gap with combustion models and is due to increased supply and discounts in the new vehicle market, especially for Tesla.

The fall in used electric car prices is spreading across almost all autonomous communities, with double-digit drops in regions such as Castile and León, the Basque Country, the Valencian Community, Andalusia, and Catalonia. Madrid has the second-lowest average price in the country (€29,081), while Navarre leads the ranking at €40,528.