The European used-car market was valued around $725 billion last year, and it’s expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 4.6% through 2034. A recent study by NexusMedia analyzed 20 European countries to find the best places to buy or sell a used car. Rankings were based on three weighted factors: average used car price, number of cars for sale, and search interest from buyers. For sellers, higher prices, more buyer activity, and fewer listings led to better scores. For buyers, lower prices, more listings, and steady demand were more favorable. Prices include VAT where available. All values were scaled from 1 to 100 and combined into a final score.
Best Countries to Buy Used Cars
| Country | Car Price Average in € | Number of Used Cars Available (one platform) | Google Search Volume | Best Market for Buyers(Score) |
| United Kingdom | 16,597 | 1,021,774 | 3,9 million | 100 |
| Germany | 19,950 | 1,691,949 | 41 K | 88 |
| Italy | 17,597 | 981,406 | 25 K | 81 |
| France | 19,091 | 1,145,453 | 29 K | 77 |
| Spain | 18,000 | 617,342 | 31 K | 68 |
You can access the full research findings by following this link.
The United Kingdom takes the top spot as the best European country to buy used cars in 2025. Used cars there sell for an average of €16.5K, the lowest across all countries studied. Shoppers also have more than 1 million cars to choose from, more than anywhere else. That mix of low prices and lots of options makes the UK the easiest place to find a good deal.
Germany comes second with a score of 88. With around 1.7 million used cars on the market, buyers have a lot to pick from. Interest from buyers is steady, not overwhelming, with 41K searches, which helps keep prices stable. Prices are a bit higher, at about €19.9K before tax, but the huge range helps shoppers find what they want without much hassle.
Italy ranks third with a score of 81. The average price for a used car is lower than in Germany, at around €17.5K, and there are nearly 1 million cars listed. Buyer activity is solid, so it’s a strong market for anyone looking for a decent price and plenty of options.
France is the fourth best country for buyers of cars with a score of 77. Used cars cost just under €19.1K, and there are more than 1.1 million listings. Buyers are searching actively, and there are enough cars available to keep it from feeling picked over.
Spain rounds out the top five with a score of 68. Here prices for used cars are reasonable at €18K, and search interest is strong. But with only about 617K cars listed, buyers might not find as many choices compared to the top-ranked countries.
Spokesperson from NexusMedia commented on the study: “Optimal conditions for used car buyers arise when low vehicle prices align with a large and diverse market. At the moment, these markets stand out for offering exactly that – lots of choice at reasonable prices, making them the best places to buy a used car in 2025”