The market Used car sales in Spain closed 2025 exceeding the 2,2 million mark.This has solidified the used car market as the primary entry point into the automotive world for most drivers. The figures show a very dynamic sector, with widespread increases across virtually the entire country, and used cars maintaining a clear advantage over new vehicles in the number of transactions.
At the same time, The growth in sales comes alongside an increasingly aging vehicle fleet.rising prices and a significant reliance on older diesel models and the maintenance costsThis combination has raised concerns within the sector, which insists on the need for more ambitious public policies to accelerate the renewal of the vehicle fleet and reduce emissions.
More than 2,2 million used cars sold in 2025
According to data from According to GANVAM, Faconauto and Ancove, 2.218.824 second-hand passenger cars were transferred in Spain in 2025., which represents an approximate increase of 4,2% compared to 2024. If the light commercial vehicle segment is added, the total used car market (passenger cars + vans) reaches 2.589.154 units, with a growth of 4,3%.
The comparison with the new vehicle clearly shows the gap: For every new passenger car registered, around 1,9 used ones were sold.While the market for new passenger cars and SUVs stood at around 1,15 million units, the used car market practically doubled that figure. In December alone, transactions involving used passenger cars totaled 217.332 units, 2,1% more than in the same month of the previous year.
The pull of the used market has even allowed exceed pre-pandemic transaction levelsThe nearly 2,22 million sales in 2025 represent around 5,5% more than those recorded in 2019, confirming that the average buyer continues to see the used car market as a more accessible alternative in terms of price and availability.
An aging park: more than half are over ten years old
The flip side of this strong dynamism is the aging of the park. Nearly 57% of used passenger cars sold in 2025 were over ten years old, a percentage that remains practically identical to that of 2024 and reflects the difficulty in removing the oldest and most polluting models from circulation.
Data from employers' associations details that 41,4% of cars sold (about 918.000 passenger cars) were over 15 years oldwhile another 15,8% were in the 10-15 year range. Adding both groups together, almost six out of ten transactions correspond to very old vehicles, many of them with emissions technologies far removed from current standards.
Due, The average age of used cars sold in Spain is 11 years.When the transaction is between private individuals, the figure rises even further, exceeding 15 years on average. This situation means that Spain remains among the European countries with the oldest vehicle fleets, with an overall average age of over 14 years.
Despite everything, signs of change are beginning to appear in newer vehicles. Sales of models between three and five years old grew by 8,8% in 2025That is, at twice the rate of cars over ten years old (+4,6%). Passenger cars aged 2 to 3 years are also gaining ground, while the only segment that is losing momentum is the 12 to 24 month age group, where used car registrations fell compared to the previous year.
Sales channels: dominance of the individual and rise of imports
When analyzing the market by channel, Transactions between individuals remain the most frequentThis channel represents around 65% of the total, with approximately 1,44 million transfers annually and a growth rate of nearly 3,3%. It is precisely in these transactions that the oldest vehicles are concentrated, with an average age well over 15 years and other factors. when buying used cars.
In parallel, Imports have become one of the growth drivers of the used car marketThey represent around 6% of total transactions, but are the channel that has seen the most significant growth: approximately 138.000 units and an increase of just over 20% year-on-year. This surge explains the strong growth in models between five and ten years old, which increased by 13,7%, driven by the arrival of cars from other European countries.
The channel company It has also strengthened its position. Companies increased their used vehicle sales by 6,2%, reaching approximately 326.075 unitsMeanwhile, the channels of leasing and rental companies They have remained at similar volumes to the previous year, with 164.412 and 146.365 units respectively, consolidating themselves as stable sources of nearly new vehicles for the used car market and giving rise to new formulas such as Sell used cars on Amazon.
Diesel leads the way and electric vehicles are on the rise, but residuals remain.
Looking at the market by fuel type, the data paints a very clear picture: Diesel continues to be the main player in the used car market.Around half of the transactions (approximately 49-50%) correspond to diesel models, although their sales declined slightly, by around 0,8% compared to 2024. Furthermore, technical problems persist among diesel models, such as... AdBlue failures in certain older vehicles.
La gasoline It remains the second most common option, accounting for around 36-37% of sales and experiencing growth of approximately 2,3%. Together, these two traditional technologies continue to represent nearly 86% of the used car market, a proportion that reflects both the existing fleet and the preferences of those seeking an affordable vehicle in the used car market.
Los hybrids and electrified vehicles They are gaining ground, but they are still a minority. The various types of hybrids now represent around 11-12% of used car sales, driven by interest in models with more favorable environmental labels.
In the case of Used pure electric vehiclesThe transactions recorded in 2025 are estimated at around 28.800 units, representing an approximate market share of 1,2-1,3%. Although their presence is still minimal, they stand out for their growth rate: Sales of used electric vehicles rose by around 53%. compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, the plug-in hybrids They reached nearly 2% of the total and grew by around 44% year-on-year, a sign that there is starting to be more young supply available.
Territorial distribution: Madrid, Andalusia and Catalonia lead
The evolution of the used car market has not been uniform across the country, but it has been quite widespread. Virtually all autonomous communities have ended 2025 in positive territory, with the exception of the Balearic Islands and Galicia, where sales of used cars declined slightly.
In terms of volume, Andalusia is at the forefront with approximately 410.084 transactions, representing about 18,5% of the national total. It is closely followed by... Region of Madrid, which with 347.521 used cars sold accounts for approximately 15,7% of the market and, in addition, registers one of the most intense growths, with an advance of 17,2% compared to 2024.
Catalonia completes the podium with approximately 301.127 units and a share of nearly 13,5% of all transactions in the country. Following these major regions, demand has also remained strong in areas like the Valencian Community, although in this case growth (around 1,7%) has fallen below the national average.
The rest of the map shows widespread progress. Aragon, for example, ended the year with 56.138 used passenger cars transferred.4,6% more, and 9.993 vans (+8,1%), exceeding 66.000 used vehicles in total. Castilla-La Mancha also showed remarkable performance, with an annual increase of 2,7% and nearly 139.000 used vehicles transferred.
The weight of local markets: the case of Malaga
Beyond the regional figures, some provincial markets have played a prominent role. Malaga is one of the most striking examplesHaving closed 2025 with more than 103.000 used vehicle transactions, exceeding the one hundred thousand unit barrier in a single year for the first time.
According to sector data, The province of Malaga registered a growth of close to 4% compared to 2024With over 50.200 sales already in the first half of the year, the company has significantly surpassed pre-pandemic levels. Approximately 90.000 of these transactions involved used passenger cars, while around 14.000 were nearly new commercial vehicles.
The profile of the offer in Malaga fits the national trend: predominance of diesel models over ten years oldThese represent approximately half of all transactions, combined with a gradual increase in electrified vehicles and nearly new vehicles less than six years old. Although the latter still represent a minority, they are gaining ground and could contribute to rejuvenating the local vehicle fleet if the trend continues.
Regarding the most sought-after models, the behavior in Malaga also reflects patterns from the whole of Spain. Compact and utilitarian cars with good value for money They dominate the top spots, with names like Volkswagen Golf, Seat Leon, Renault Clio, Toyota Corolla or Peugeot 3008 among the favorites of used car buyers.
Best-selling models in the used market
Looking at the ranking of models, the focus is on well-known and widespread vehicles. The Volkswagen Golf remains the best-selling used car in Spain, with more than 67.000 units transferred in 2025 and a slight increase compared to the previous year.
Following it appear two models from the same group with a strong industrial presence in Spain: the Seat Ibiza and Seat Leonwith approximately 60.700 and 50.800 transactions, respectively. Next are the Renault Clio, with approximately 45.000 units, and the Ford Focus, which is around 43.500 sales despite its production in Europe having declined.
El Top 10 used car market This list is rounded out by models well-established in the Spanish market, such as the Renault Mégane, the BMW 3 Series, the Opel Corsa, the Citroën C3, and the Audi A3. Overall, this list highlights the strength of compact and subcompact cars, as well as the influence of domestic and European production on the available used car market.
Used cars are becoming more expensive, but they remain a viable alternative.
Another factor that has marked the year has been the evolution of prices. According to the barometer of specialized portals, The average asking price for a used car closed December 2025 at around 17.808 euros, which represents an increase of 2,4% compared to the same date in 2024.
Looking at the year as a whole, The annual average was around 17.758 euros6,1% more than in 2024, when it was around €16.727. In practical terms, buying a used car today costs around 1.000 euros more expensive than a year agoHowever, the evolution has not been linear: strong increases in the first half of the year, a peak in September with prices above 18.200 euros, and a certain correction in the final stretch of the year.
Despite this increase, the sector believes that A used car remains a realistic option for many budgets.especially when compared to the price increase for new vehicles. Furthermore, the increased availability of younger stock from leasing companies, businesses, and imports is helping to offer more variety in intermediate age brackets, although it is still not enough to significantly rejuvenate the vehicle fleet. Consumers should also consider what to do. if a mechanic damages your car when buying second-hand.
The debate on park renewal and aid plans
The described context has led the employers' associations of the distribution and dealership sectors to redouble their pressure for a clear strategy to renew the vehicle fleet. GANVAM and Faconauto demand effective incentives for scrappingso that it becomes more economically attractive to remove an old and polluting car from circulation than to sell it on the second-hand market.
Both organizations insist that subsidies for the purchase of electrified vehicles They must be accompanied by a national renewal plan that also includes certain modern combustion engine models, particularly those that comply with emissions regulations. Euros 6d (those registered since approximately 2020). The reference they put forward is a program similar to the old Renove Plan, already included in the Sustainable Mobility Law.
Meanwhile, the Government is focusing its efforts on a specific support plan for electric and plug-in hybrid cars, known as Auto+ PlanThis has generated some concern within the sector regarding the actual timeline for approving incentives for renewing the combustion engine vehicle fleet. Employers' associations and other organizations warn that, without this supplement, The used car market will continue to grow based on very old vehicles., with the consequent impact on emissions, safety, and maintenance costs for users. In parallel, there are political pressures such as those from Spain to Brussels to maintain the veto on certain prohibitions.
2025 ends with a used car market that continues to gain ground on new vehicles, with More than 2,2 million used cars sold, an increase of nearly 4,2%, with models over ten years old playing a prominent role.The surge in imports, the gradual increase in prices, the timid expansion of electrified vehicles, and the dominance of diesel paint a picture in which the second-hand car will continue to be the preferred option for many drivers, but in which the major challenge remains rejuvenating a fleet that has accumulated too many kilometers and too many years.
