German used car market sees price drops while cheap EVs become scarce

German used cars electric vehicle scarcity price drop Chinese EV competition US used car imports

In Germany, demand for inexpensive used electric vehicles has outstripped supply, especially for models priced around €20,000. The Deutsche Automobil Treuhand (DAT) reported that over 40,000 used EVs changed owners in April, and prices have begun to rise modestly as inventories thin. At the same time, the average price of all used cars fell 1 % in June 2026 to €27,229, with small cars dropping 1.7 % to €12,968 and mid‑range models down 1.2 %. Supply of older cars (10–20 years) increased 6.6 %, giving buyers more options in that segment. Used electric cars bucked the trend, climbing 1 % to €37,810 despite a 16.9 % fall in demand, explained by faster turnover of lower‑priced EVs.

Chinese electric‑vehicle makers are expanding rapidly in Europe, but European‑spec models carry substantially higher price tags. A Denza Z9 GT costs about €33,600 in China but starts near €115,000 in Europe, reflecting tariffs, safety‑standard adaptations and transport costs. Chinese producers also enjoy a large cost advantage, with a comparable EV costing roughly $20,000 to build in China versus $31,000 in Europe.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has seen a surge in imports of used cars from the United States, drawn by 20‑30 % lower prices versus European markets. While the savings are attractive, buyers face risks such as hidden damage, prior accidents, theft histories and odometer tampering, prompting many to use experienced intermediaries for import, inspection and compliance.

Entities: AutoScout24 · Bosnia and Herzegovina · Chinese automakers · Deutsche Automobil Treuhand (DAT) · German auto market · Germany · Stefan Schneck · electric vehicles · used cars

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[○ 1 SOURCE] A Chinese Denza Z9 GT costs about €33,600 in China but starts near €115,000 in Europe due to tariffs and adaptations. (0fc2633d-b8dd-463e-a9ec-6ecb035883e5)
[● 2 SOURCES] Average price of all used cars in Germany fell 1 % in June 2026 to €27,229. (f9bf2e19-d177-4c63-a90f-d5f7970acaf3)
[● 2 SOURCES] Supply of used cars aged 10‑20 years in Germany increased 6.6 % in June 2026. (f9bf2e19-d177-4c63-a90f-d5f7970acaf3)
[● 2 SOURCES] Average price of small used cars in Germany fell 1.7 % in June 2026 to €12,968. (f9bf2e19-d177-4c63-a90f-d5f7970acaf3)
[○ 1 SOURCE] In April 2024, more than 40,000 used electric vehicles changed owners in Germany. (0d8206b3-0cb2-4c5f-9350-2cc2379a0c8c)
[● 2 SOURCES] Average price of used electric cars in Germany rose 1 % in June 2026 to €37,810 despite a 16.9 % drop in demand. (f9bf2e19-d177-4c63-a90f-d5f7970acaf3)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Producing a comparable electric vehicle costs roughly $20,000 in China versus $31,000 in Europe. (f7e5d79e-d284-46fd-8b59-c69433b469ec)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Demand for cheap used electric cars in Germany exceeds supply, especially for models around €20,000. (0d8206b3-0cb2-4c5f-9350-2cc2379a0c8c)