Central European used car market shifts toward SUVs and automatics

The used car market in Central Europe is seeing a significant shift in consumer preferences. In the Czech Republic, sales of nearly-new vehicles (up to five years old with under 50,000 km) rose by nearly 6% in the first three quarters of 2026 compared to the previous year, reaching 129,727 units. These vehicles now account for 18.8% of the secondary market.

Market data from AURES Holdings indicates a move away from traditional station wagons and manual transmissions toward SUVs and automatic gearboxes. SUVs now command nearly half of the nearly-new market at 49%, while hatchbacks and station wagons have declined. Additionally, 73.5% of these vehicles are equipped with automatic transmissions, a trend driven by the prevalence of electric and hybrid models.

Financial analysis suggests that choosing a used vehicle over a new one can offer substantial long-term economic benefits. For instance, the price difference of approximately 6,000 EUR between a new mid-range car and a five-year-old equivalent could be invested in low-cost ETF funds. Such an investment could potentially grow to cover the cost of a future vehicle or provide enough capital to cover fuel costs for approximately 15 years.