Top 5 bestsellers on the Polish secondary market are on average over 18 years old and have 252,000 km of mileage

Transparency note: This press release was originally published in Polish. The text has been machine translated. You can find the original press release here.

The five most frequently sold models in July accounted for approximately one-third of used car sales in Poland. CARFAX analyzed the histories of over 2.6 million Opel Astras, Volkswagen Golfs, BMW 3 Series, Audi A4s, and Skoda Octavias. The German models that dominate the rankings are, on average, 18 to 20 years old. The Skoda Octavia stands out, with an average age of only 13 years. The percentage of imported vehicles is also significantly lower than for other models.

According to available data, the most frequently sold used car models in Poland in July 2026 were the Opel Astra, Volkswagen Golf, BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, and Skoda Octavia. A total of over 25,000 of these cars were sold, meaning they accounted for approximately one-third of sales on the Polish automotive aftermarket that month. CARFAX analyzed the history of over 2.6 million of these models in its Polish database, which covers over 21 million used passenger cars in Poland. Remarkably, these 5 models alone account for over 12% of the Polish car fleet. The analysis shows that the average car in this group is 18.5 years old and has 251,600 km on the odometer, and has previously had an average of 3.2 owners. Just under 9% of these cars remain in the possession of their first owner.

German models remain popular despite their advanced age.

The most frequently represented model in the CARFAX database is the Volkswagen Golf, accounting for 26% of the cars analyzed. The average Golf on Polish roads is 20 years old and has 244,000 km on the clock. A full 78% of Golfs were imported from abroad, 39% have a history of damage, and 89% of cars are affected by at least one risk factor that should alert a potential buyer (such as unusual odometer readings).

The Opel Astra is, on average, slightly younger. Its average age is 18 years and mileage is 219,000 km. Imported vehicles account for 65% of the total, with damage history recorded in 44% of the vehicles, and risk factors in 83%. It accounts for 24% of the analyzed group of vehicles.

Significantly higher values were recorded for the other two German models in the ranking, representing the premium segment. The Audi A4 (20% of the analyzed group) is statistically the oldest and most heavily used of the five – with an average age of 20 years and 302,000 km. Ninety-four percent of the units were imported from abroad, 48% have a history of damage, and a full 97% are affected by at least one risk factor.

The situation is similar for the BMW 3 Series (14% of the analyzed group) – the average car is 20 years old and has 268,000 km on the clock, 89% are imported, and 95% have risk factors. BMW also stands out for the highest percentage of cars with a damage history – this applies to 52% of the cars.

For older premium cars, an additional risk is the cost of ownership. An attractive purchase price of a 20-year-old Audi or BMW may come with high repair and maintenance costs, especially for vehicles with high mileage or a history of damage.

“The Volkswagen Golf, Opel Astra, Audi A4, and BMW 3 Series have been present on the Polish market for years; drivers are familiar with them, and the large number of units translates into widespread parts availability and experienced garages servicing them. Imports are also important, as they have increased the supply of these models over the years”, says Robert Lewandowski, Business Development Manager CARFAX Polska. "From the buyer's perspective, however, this popularity has a flip side: the older the car and the longer its history, the more accidents and problems it may have encountered. Therefore, with such cars, it's especially important to evaluate the individual model, rather than basing decisions solely on the model or brand's reputation."

Octavia stands out

The Skoda Octavia clearly stands out among the other July bestsellers, accounting for 17% of the cars in the analyzed group. It's the youngest of the models analyzed – the average unit is 13 years old, seven years younger than the Golf, Audi A4, or BMW 3 Series. The share of imports is also significantly lower: 30% of Octavias come from abroad, compared to 65-94% for other models. The percentage of cars with risk factors is also lower – 65%. This is still the majority of the vehicles analyzed, but significantly less than the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Golf, or Opel Astra.

Of the five analyzed, 51% of the cars have petrol engines, 47% are diesels, and about 2% are hybrids. This structure demonstrates how strongly the most popular aftermarket models remain tied to traditional powertrains. The high share of diesel cars may also become increasingly relevant in the context of Clean Transport Zones. As restrictions become stricter, owners of older diesel vehicles may face limitations on driving in major cities, which is worth considering when purchasing such a car.