Europe’s used car market: a $725 billion investment opportunity

In 2024, Europe’s used car market reached $725.3 billion, according to Global Market Insights. This figure highlights the considerable importance of used vehicles in Europe, where they have become a major sector of the real economy.

Driven by rising new car prices, changes in purchasing power, an ageing European vehicle fleet and expanding financing options, the used car market benefits from strong structural momentum. Global Market Insights forecasts a compound annual growth rate of 4.6% between 2025 and 2034.

Within this environment, CARINVEST GROUP stands out as one of the few European companies enabling investors to gain direct exposure to the used car market by financing a business built on physical vehicles and tangible assets.

A growing European used car market

Europe’s used vehicle market benefits from several long-term trends: a rising cost of living, demand for more affordable mobility and the development of financing alternatives to outright purchase.

According to Global Market Insights, the market reached $725.3 billion in 2024, with a projected compound annual growth rate of 4.6% through 2034.

Europe’s leading automotive markets reflect this trend. In Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy and Spain, used vehicles account for a substantial share of automotive transactions.

In Spain, used vehicle sales increased by 11% in the fourth quarter of 2024, while Italy recorded growth of 8% and Germany 5%.

This growth comes as the new vehicle market faces greater challenges in several European countries.

Rising new car prices are driving demand for used vehicles

One of the main drivers of growth in the used car market is the increasing price of new vehicles.

Between 2020 and 2024, the average price of a new vehicle sold in France rose by 24%, equivalent to approximately €6,800 more per vehicle, according to a study by the Institut Mobilités en Transition and consultancy C-Ways.

This trend partly reflects manufacturers’ gradual shift towards more expensive, better-equipped vehicles that generate higher margins.

SUVs, electrified powertrains and premium versions now account for a growing share of manufacturers’ ranges, while many entry-level models have gradually disappeared.

These changes are encouraging some motorists to look for nearly new used vehicles, offering a balance between price, equipment, reliability and running costs.

In France, new vehicle sales fell from 2.21 million units in 2019 to approximately 1.72 million in 2024.

Why European motorists are choosing used vehicles

The growth of Europe’s used car market is about more than price.

Consumers also want vehicles with proven reliability, a documented service history and a substantial portion of their initial depreciation already absorbed.

Buying used also provides access to vehicle categories that might otherwise be unaffordable when purchased new.

For many European households, a car remains essential for commuting, getting around and accessing everyday services. Used vehicles therefore meet a practical, recurring economic need.

This makes vehicles physical assets directly connected to the real economy.

Germany: Europe’s largest used car market

Germany plays a leading role in Europe’s automotive sector, accounting for approximately 21% of the used car market.

In 2024, the country recorded nearly 6.5 million used vehicle transactions.

Germany benefits from an extensive network of dealerships, financing companies and specialists in vehicle purchasing, sales and exports.

This infrastructure also supports cross-border vehicle trading within the European Union.

The market is evolving as electric vehicles gradually enter the used vehicle market. In the third quarter of 2024, more than 53,000 used electric vehicles were sold in Europe, representing a significant increase compared with the previous year.

Europe’s used car market is therefore expanding beyond combustion-engine vehicles, reflecting the broader transformation of the vehicle fleet.

Investing in the used car market

Despite its considerable size, Europe’s used vehicle market remains difficult for individual investors to access directly.

Investors can readily purchase shares in listed car manufacturers or financial companies. However, there are far fewer opportunities to invest directly in a business whose activities involve purchasing, financing, renting and providing hire purchase for used vehicles.

This is precisely the position CARINVEST GROUP has developed.

The group enables investors to help finance its expansion in the European automotive sector. The capital raised supports an operating business whose activities include acquiring and managing a vehicle fleet.

CARINVEST GROUP is therefore among the few European companies offering access to an investment directly linked to the used car market and physical automotive assets.

This approach connects financial investment with a tangible business activity: vehicles are acquired, financed and then put into commercial use within the group’s operations.

CARINVEST GROUP: investing in vehicles and the real economy

CARINVEST GROUP’s business model focuses primarily on used vehicle rental and hire purchase in Europe, particularly Central Europe and Poland.

The company operates directly within the automotive value chain, covering vehicle acquisition, financing, provision to customers and fleet management.

For investors, this approach offers exposure to an economic sector that has traditionally been difficult to access outside financial markets.

The investment is linked to a company operating in the real economy, with a business built on physical, identifiable vehicles.

This distinguishes CARINVEST GROUP from many investments based exclusively on financial instruments or intangible assets.

An automotive market supported by structural demand

The potential of Europe’s used car market extends beyond short-term economic trends.

Several structural factors support lasting demand:

Rising new vehicle prices.

Demand for more affordable mobility solutions.

An ageing European vehicle fleet.

The expansion of vehicle financing and hire purchase.

Automotive market growth in Central Europe.

Increasing cross-border vehicle trading.

These developments create favourable conditions for companies specialising in used vehicle financing and distribution.

Automotive investment: a new way to access an established market

The automotive sector is one of Europe’s largest consumer markets. Yet it remains surprisingly difficult for investors to participate directly in its day-to-day business activities.

CARINVEST GROUP aims to connect investors with the European automotive market.

Rather than gaining exposure solely through a listed car manufacturer, investors help finance a business directly involved in putting used vehicles on the road and managing their commercial use.

This approach places CARINVEST GROUP among the few European companies offering investors direct exposure to the used car market, automotive assets and the real economy.

A $725 billion sector at the heart of the European economy

With an estimated value of $725.3 billion in 2024 and a projected compound annual growth rate of 4.6% through 2034, Europe’s used car market represents a major segment of the automotive economy.

Rising new vehicle prices, changing consumer habits and expanding financing options are expected to continue supporting this market over the coming years.

For investors seeking to diversify their assets through tangible investments and practical economic activity, used vehicles represent a sector worth watching.

Through its business model, CARINVEST GROUP opens access to a European automotive market historically dominated by industry professionals, allowing investors to help finance operations built directly on physical vehicles.

Investing in CARINVEST GROUP therefore provides exposure to an established, tangible sector deeply rooted in Europe’s mobility needs.

Europe’s used car market in figures

$725 billion
Value of Europe’s used car market in 2024.

+4.6%
Projected compound annual growth rate through 2034.

+24%
Increase in the average price of a new vehicle in France between 2020 and 2024.

−22%
Decline in new car sales in France between 2019 and 2024.

+57%
Increase in used electric vehicle sales in Europe in the third quarter of 2024.

Sources: Global Market Insights, 2025; Institut Mobilités en Transition / C-Ways, May 2025; Global Market Insights / Autovista24, 2024.