Five to one: What's happening to the used car market
In May, the Russian used car market was still growing compared to the same period of the previous year. However, compared to April 2026, fewer used cars were sold. Is it possible to talk about the beginning of a drop in sales, Izvestia found out.
Better than last year
In May 2026, residents of Russia purchased 511.5 thousand used passenger cars, the analytical agency Autostat estimated. This is 5.7% less than a month earlier, but 4.2% higher than the result of May last year.
Lada retains leadership among the brands of the secondary market, 115.9 thousand such cars were purchased at the end of spring. Toyota is in second place with an indicator of 54.3 thousand units. This is followed by Kia and Hyundai (28.7 thousand and 27.9 thousand units, respectively), and Volkswagen closes the top five (23.9 thousand units). The top ten included Nissan, Honda, Chevrolet, Renault and Ford.
In the top ten, all brands showed a decrease to the level of a month ago: Honda had the weakest (-1.2%), and Renault had the strongest (-9.2%). In annual comparison, only Lada has a negative trend (-8.2%), while the remaining nine brands are in the black, with Honda having the best result (+20.6%).
In just five months of 2026, Russians became owners of 2.38 million used passenger cars, which is 4.9% more than in January —May last year.
"Seven" with a minus
Kia Rio became the bestseller of the Russian secondary car market in May 2026, with sales of 9935 units in late spring. Another "Korean" was slightly inferior — Hyundai Solaris (9879 units). Next was Lada 2107 (9593 units), which had previously repeatedly become the bestseller of the secondary market. Next are the Toyota Corolla (9284 units) with the Ford Focus (8955 units).
The top ten includes Lada 2114 (Samara), 4x4 (Niva) and 2170 (Priora), as well as Toyota Camry and Lada 2190 (Granta).
Compared to April, all the presented models were "in the red" in terms of sales, and the Lada 4x4 SUV had the strongest decline (-14.2%). Compared to May 2025, six models are showing positive dynamics, and four are showing negative dynamics. Of the former, the Toyota Corolla had the best result (+19.4%), and the VAZ Seven had the worst result (-20.4%).
The same players
Autostat notes that the used car market is more stable in terms of volume and has gained ground compared to the same period in 2025. At the same time, more used cars are currently being bought than new ones. For every new car purchased, there were almost five used cars, which is slightly higher compared to last year. In 2020-21, the secondary car market was only four times larger than the primary one. However, as early as 2023, the ratio between used and new cars was 5.4:1, and in 2022 it was even 8:1.
Analysts have pointed out that 70% of the used car market is occupied by "age-related" cars aged 10 years and older. Therefore, the same players alternate in the top 10 brands each time, and the weighted average price is noticeably lower than in the new segment — 1.2 million versus 3.3 million rubles.
Chinese cars are becoming more visible
These statistics do not reflect the increase in the share of used cars of Chinese brands, which is noted in Autostat. This is due to a sharp increase in their number in the sales structure in the new car market. If in 2023 their share was 2%, now it is almost 6%.
Chinese used cars are gradually becoming more noticeable, noted Vadim Chernousov, Sales Director of Rolf used cars. According to him, their share will grow due to trade-in programs, leasing, corporate parks and private resales.
High-quality cars are in short supply
Vadim Chernousov mentioned the shortage of high-quality cars in the secondary market.
— The most in demand cars of global brands with a clear service history, low mileage and a minimum number of owners.
The import of such cars plays a significant role: they are well known to the market, have a clear ownership economy and a high level of trust. Against the background of the strengthening of the national currency, the situation has improved, especially if the car fits into the parameters of preferential recycling, he noted.
The market is stagnating, says Igor Morzharetto, partner at Autostat. As before, the best—selling cars on the secondary market are the cheapest, priced at less than 500 thousand rubles.
— These are cars much older than 10 years, so they change hands. It is extremely difficult to find a new car, relatively fresh and in good condition," the expert explained.
The holidays and the heat are to blame
The decrease in May compared with the April result is not an indicator of a drop in demand, Igor Morzharetto notes.
— There were holidays in May. Many people rested from the first to the tenth. There is an increase compared to last May," he said.
The 4.2% year-on-year increase in the used car market shows the continued basic demand, says Vadim Chernousov from Rolf.
— It is supported by the high cost of new cars, the aging of the fleet and an increase in the average car ownership period. Buyers have become more rational: they evaluate not only the price, but also the cost of ownership, liquidity, the condition of the car and the transparency of the history," he said.
At the same time, demand remains sensitive to price, credit conditions, and supply quality. In June, Chernousov expects the results of the used car market to be approximately at the level of May. If there is an increase, it will most likely be insignificant — within the statistical margin of error and without sudden jumps.
The sales situation similar to May will be observed throughout the year, unless there are some drastic changes, for example, in the field of geopolitics, Igor Morzharetto added.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
