Second-hand car market experiencing growth with an increase in demand for Chinese-manufactured vehicles
In the rapidly evolving world of electric vehicles (EVs), Chinese brands are making a significant impact in Europe's car market. While detailed data on their market share in the German used car segment is scarce, Chinese brands have collectively reached a 5.1% market share across Europe in the first half of 2025, nearly doubling from 2.7% in 2024 [2][3][4].
Among the major Chinese EV brands, MG and NIO are present in Europe but do not appear among the leading brands driving the recent surge. Instead, it's brands like BYD, Jaecoo, Omoda, Leapmotor, and Xpeng that are dominating the growth [2][3][4].
BYD, for instance, has experienced a 311% year-on-year sales increase to 70,500 units in H1 2025, placing it among the top 25 brands in Europe and surpassing some German and Japanese legacy brands [3][4][5]. Leapmotor and Xpeng also have substantial sales in Europe, with Xpeng becoming the top-selling high-end Chinese brand [3].
The success of these Chinese brands can be attributed to several factors: aggressive pricing, digitalization advantages, and strong networking capabilities that exceed the offerings of some established German manufacturers [1][2][4]. However, German brands are facing challenges in Europe as well.
In the used car market, Chinese brands, such as MG, BYD, and NIO, account for around 6,200 listings on AutoScout24, making up less than 1% of all offers. Despite this, the demand for Chinese used car models is high, with many models receiving exceptionally high purchase inquiries per listing, up to nine times more than used electric vehicles in general [1].
The demand, however, may not always translate into purchases due to factors such as trust, brand awareness, and distribution structures. Chinese models have low entry prices, with a used MG4 averaging around 24,900 euros and the Ora Funky Cat around 25,900 euros [1]. Almost exactly half (49%) of the Chinese car listings on AutoScout24 are electric vehicles.
The average age of Chinese used car inventory is 127 days, compared to 122 days for used electric vehicles overall. Notably, the MG4, BYD Atto3, and MG5 have experienced significant price drops compared to the previous quarter, with the MG4 losing 13%, the BYD Atto3 17%, and the MG5 19% [1].
Despite the relative niche status in the used car market, Stefan Schneck of AutoScout24 predicts that Chinese brands will increasingly stir up the market in the future. He emphasizes that the market is still very volatile, with some brands disappearing and others pushing onto the market [1].
One brand that is hardly visible in the actual vehicle offerings on AutoScout24, despite strong branding and a prominent presence, is NIO. This suggests that while Chinese brands are making strides in Europe's used car market, there is still room for improvement in terms of brand awareness and distribution structures.
In summary, while Chinese EV brands have seen rapid growth and increased market share in Europe’s new car market in 2025, their presence in the German used car market is less defined. MG and NIO are not among the main performers driving this trend, with BYD, Leapmotor, Xpeng, Jaecoo, and Omoda dominating the growth. The demand for Chinese used car models is high, but trust, brand awareness, and distribution structures may need to grow further for purchases to actually occur.
Sports enthusiasts may find a growing selection of affordable used electric vehicles from Chinese brands, such as MG, BYD, and Omoda, on platforms like AutoScout24. The demand for these electric models is high, but trust and awareness play significant roles in the consumers' purchasing decisions.
