Last year, the Belgian second-hand car market achieved its best results since 2006. While the new car market continues to decline, the volume of used cars remains stable at a historically high level.
Registrations increased by 0.9% (+6,194 units) after consecutive years of growth and a very strong 2024. In December alone, 59,090 used cars were registered, a 7.4% increase over December 2024. “This strong result has seen the share of used cars in total sales rise to 63.9%,” explains Filip Rylant, spokesman for mobility federation Traxio.
The availability of second-hand cars and falling prices convince many consumers to opt for a used car. Many people are still unsure about which type of motorization to choose, which also favors the second-hand market.
Volkswagen is the best-selling used car
The used car market is still dominated by gasoline engines (55.6%), ahead of diesel cars (from 30.6% to 26%) and hybrid vehicles(from 10.6% to 13.3%). The share of other fuels is growing slowly and is already approaching the 20% mark at 18.4%. In 2025, 4.6% of fully electric models were registered on the second-hand market, thanks to a broader range and falling prices.
Volkswagen was the best-selling used car brand in 2025, ahead of BMW, Mercedes, Peugeot, and Opel. The most popular models were the VW Golf (29,120 units), ahead of the VW Polo (21,299), the Opel Corsa (18,567), the BMW 3 Series (16,138), and the BMW 1 Series (14,793).
The average used car costs €26,572
Private individuals are increasingly turning to used cars. The second-hand market remains primarily a private activity. Private individuals made a whopping 90.2% of registrations. Among fleet customers, we’re seeing a decline driven by the economic climate and total cost of ownership (TCO).
Companies, on the other hand, usually are not interested in used cars unless they are electric. As a result, the number of used electric cars has increased from 3.2% to 4.6%, even though they no longer receive a supporting premium (in Flanders).
After two consecutive years of strong price increases, 2025 is expected to see a stabilization trend. The average price of used vehicles offered on AutoScout24, Europe’s largest online car market, rose by 1.6% from January to December 2025, reaching €26,572.
Older fleet
Traxio expects the used car market to remain high in the coming years. The most popular are budget-friendly cars with combustion engines (preferably automatic and gasoline) and limited mileage.
However, the average age of the Belgian vehicle fleet continues to increase, now at around ten years. The median age of used car registrations is now 7 years and 9 months, which is quite old and therefore detrimental to greening.
Flanders is the largest region for the registration of second-hand passenger cars in Belgium, with 55%, while Wallonia is at 37%, and Brussels is at 8%.
New cars
The new car market, on the other hand, has declined by 7.4% compared to 2024 and by 13% compared to 2023. Also, for 2026, industry experts expect a slight decline in new sales and a slight increase in second-hand sales.
The stricter low-emission zone in Brussels could lead to an additional growth spike in the short term. And the Brussels Motor Show also remains essential for reinvigorating the automotive sector. The show creates a dynamic around the ‘car’ product and stimulates interest and confidence.
According to Autoscout24, which examined interest indicators in the Belgian car market, compact SUVs remain extremely popular. Chinese brands are generating a lot of interest, but this hasn’t yet translated into significant registrations. It’s therefore a segment to keep an eye on.
