Hybrid vehicles lead Hungarian used car market in value retention

Recent statistics from KSH and Használtautó.hu indicate that hybrid vehicles have become the best investment in the Hungarian used car market due to lower depreciation rates. On average, hybrids lose only 5.7% of their value annually, compared to 6.9% for gasoline cars, 7.5% for diesel, and 7.7% for fully electric models.

The supply of used cars has expanded, with the number of advertised vehicles increasing by over 11,000 in one year. Hybrid listings saw the largest growth, rising by nearly 50%. While traditional internal combustion engines still dominate the market—with gasoline cars accounting for nearly half of listings and diesel for 42%—the availability of cheaper vehicles is declining. Only 35% of the supply is priced below 2.5 million HUF, a 4% decrease from the previous year.

Concurrently, the market landscape is shifting as traditional German and Japanese brands become more expensive, while Chinese manufacturers increase their presence. South Korean manufacturers, such as KGM (formerly SsangYong), are also emerging as significant players, moving from being viewed as budget alternatives to becoming independent, rational choices for consumers.