Russia imports 75,000 used cars from China in eight months

Russia has seen a significant surge in used car imports from China, with approximately 75,000 passenger vehicles imported during the first eight months of 2026. This represents a 98% increase compared to the same period in 2025, when imports stood at 38,000 units.

According to data from Avtostat, the most frequently imported models include the Volkswagen Tayron (5,926 units), Toyota Corolla (5,096 units), Audi Q3 (4,088 units), Audi A3 (3,907 units), and Volkswagen Golf (2,809 units). While Japan remains the leader in total used car imports to Russia at 56%, China accounted for 29.1% of the market in August.

The trend highlights a shift in supply chains as official channels for many international brands in Russia have narrowed. Investigations suggest that some vehicles, including brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz, are being moved through intermediary trade networks. Additionally, some nearly new vehicles are being registered in China and classified as “used” to facilitate easier entry into markets where manufacturers no longer sell directly.