9% of the Spanish vehicle fleet changed ownership in 2025
Transparency note: This press release was originally published in Spanish. The text has been machine translated. You can find the original press release here.
49% of used vehicles sold last year present some kind of associated risk, a figure well above the national average (38%).
These vehicles have an average mileage of around 179,000 kilometers and an average age of 12.4 years; 44% are over 15 years old.
Used vehicles sold in 2025 have had an average of 4 owners, compared to 2.5 for all vehicles in circulation.
Madrid, March 10, 2026 – The used car market in Spain continues to consolidate year after year. According to data from GANVAM (National Association of Motor Vehicle Dealers, Repairers, and Parts Suppliers), for every new passenger car sold in 2025, 1.9 used vehicles were sold, confirming the structural weight of the second-hand market in our country.
Given this upward trend in the used car market and its popularity among consumers, CARFAX, the leading private provider of vehicle histories in Spain and Europe, has analyzed more than 2.3 million used cars sold during 2025. In addition, it has commented on the trend in the used car sector in its recent participation in the Faconauto 2026 Congress, revealing some of the data from this analysis.
The study reveals key information about the age, mileage, number of owners, origin, and possible associated risks, as well as the brands and models preferred by Spanish drivers.
1 in 11 vehicles will have changed owners by 2025.
Of the more than 26 million vehicles that make up the Spanish vehicle fleet, CARFAX has analyzed 2,340,926 cars that changed hands during 2025, representing approximately 9% of the total. In other words, one in every eleven vehicles on the road was sold last year.
The average used car purchased in 2025 has traveled almost 180,000 kilometers, slightly higher than the average for the entire fleet (171,654 km). In the case of imported vehicles, the average mileage is 185,000 km, while those from rental fleets are just over 133,000 km.
In terms of age, the vehicles sold have an average age of 12.4 years, two years below the national average. However, 44% of the units sold are over 15 years old, highlighting the structural aging of the Spanish used car market.
In addition, the average number of owners is significantly higher than that of the general fleet: cars sold in 2025 have had an average of four owners, compared to 2.5 for all vehicles in circulation. This reflects greater turnover and greater complexity in the history of the vehicles sold.
49% of cars purchased in 2025 will carry some risk
CARFAX analysis indicates that over the past year, half of all vehicles sold had some type of associated risk. This striking figure is significantly higher than that of the total vehicle fleet (38%), highlighting certain issues to consider in recent sales.
It should be noted that the existence of a "risk" does not necessarily imply a mechanical problem or a threat to driving, but it should be considered relevant information so that the buyer can make an informed decision and gain in-depth knowledge of the vehicle's history.
Among these risks, the most relevant point is that 27% of vehicles registered with some type of associated risk have a history of previous damage or accidents, a figure slightly higher than the total number of vehicles with a history of risk, where this same proportion is around 25%. In addition, the study indicates that 13% of used vehicles purchased in the past year come from imports, another 13% come from rental car fleets, and 3% have inconsistencies in their mileage.
Dominance of diesel and concentration in large cities
Diesel vehicles continue to lead the used car market, accounting for 49% of sales in 2025. Gasoline models account for 38%, while hybrids already account for 10%, consolidating their progressive growth. Although electric motors continue to have marginal use (2%), it is already possible to envisage an energy transition towards more sustainable options, albeit gradually.
From a geographical point of view, Madrid accounts for 16% of used vehicle purchases, followed by Barcelona (9%) and Valencia (6%), showing a strong concentration of the market in the main urban centers.
The second-hand market is gaining ground and demanding greater transparency
The used car market continues to consolidate its position as one of the major drivers of the automotive sector in Spain. In a context where almost two used cars are sold for every new car, the importance of used cars is growing for both buyers and professionals.
For this reason, Luis María Pérez Serrano, Director of Data Procurement at CARFAX, discussed some of these figures in his recent participation in the Faconauto 2026 Congress, where he spoke about current and future trends in the used car market. Luis María states that "The constant growth of the used car market in Spain continues to show great dynamism, but also significant challenges in terms of transparency." Likewise, given the current trend of the used car market taking on an increasingly important role, he points out that "the high average age of vehicles and the weight of accumulated mileage make it essential to have a verifiable history so that buyers and dealers can make decisions with greater confidence."