The used car market is at a historic low – transactions have fallen by over 50%
The Estonian used car market has reached its deepest downturn in recent years. Buyers have become cautious due to the car tax and registration fees that came into effect in 2025, which increase the total cost of vehicles and reduce transaction activity. At the same time, there are market signals about possible tax reforms, which have many buyers waiting for clarity before making purchases. This affects both buyers and sellers across the market
In December, 6,556 passenger car ownership transfers were recorded in Estonia, which is 74 fewer than in November. Compared with December 2024, the number of transactions decreased by 80%, and compared with December 2023 it fell by 41%. This confirms that the used car market is at its lowest level in recent years.
Most Popular Car Brands in December
Top three brands:
- BMW
- Volkswagen
- Škoda
By brand, BMW was again the most popular used car brand in December. A total of 937 BMWs changed ownership, 43 fewer transactions than in November. Volkswagen was second with 734 transactions, 25 fewer than in November, and Škoda was third with 572 transactions.
December Model Rankings
Top three models:
- BMW 5 Series
- BMW 3 Series
- Volkswagen Passat
There has been close competition between the BMW 3 Series, BMW 5 Series, and Volkswagen Passat month after month. In December, the BMW 5 Series led with 305 transactions, followed by the BMW 3 Series with 296, and the Volkswagen Passat with 275. All three models had fewer transactions than in November.
Cars Up to 10 Years Old
Top three brands:
- Škoda
- Toyota
- Volkswagen
Among cars up to 10 years old, Škoda led again with 431 transactions in December, 49 more than in November. Toyota followed with 332 transactions, five more than in November, and Volkswagen with 235. The most sold models in this segment were the Škoda Octavia (164), Toyota RAV4 (115), and Volkswagen Passat (88).
Vehicle Age Ranking
The oldest car that changed ownership in December was a 1925 Mathis GM. This French carmaker operated from 1910 to 1950 and was once the fourth-largest producer in France, even making large eight-cylinder cars. The highest number of transactions in December were registered for 2020 model-year cars (413), followed by 2007 (366) and 2018 (326).
2025 Overall Results
In 2025, 72,558 passenger car ownership transfers took place in Estonia. Compared with 2024, this was a 61% drop, and compared with 2023, a 52% drop. The top three brands in 2025 were:
- BMW (9,728 transactions)
- Volkswagen (8,033)
- Toyota (6,619)
While BMW dominated month by month in 2025, Volkswagen was the leader in 2024. Looking to buy a used car? Check our financing calculator and find out how taxes and registration fees affect your total cost.
Author: Autoportaal.ee Analytics
Source: Estonian Transport Administration
Note: Data is based on registered passenger car ownership transfers in Estonia.