Used cars are moving through auctions more than ever this year. The push comes from a shortage of fresh models on the market, and the used-car segment is down only 20 percent while new car sales have plunged by about 60 percent. This gap keeps buyers steady and dealers eager to find stock quickly.
Dealers are actively seeking ways to replace traditional trade-in channels. Strong demand has emerged thanks to large fleet liquidations and individuals eager to sell fast. Where 10–20 percent of dealers participated in auctions in previous years, the share has jumped to 60–70 percent as the market pivots to faster, more scalable sourcing options.
In 2022, the used car auction market in Russia grew by roughly 40 percent, according to Carlink. The strongest growth occurred in the passenger car and commercial vehicle segments, underscoring broad acceptance of auction platforms as a reliable route to replenishing stock. Auctions are no longer small, niche events; they are major channels where leasing firms, importers, and other large players routinely participate. As some companies reduce local presence or exit the market, their fleets hit the auction block, while others convert fleets into ride-hailing vehicles or sell entire inventories.
Industry analysts caution that today’s market dynamics are highly situational and can shift rapidly. The current optimism rests on near-term supply gaps, but the landscape could change with policy shifts, financing conditions, or broader economic trends. Still, auctions remain a central mechanism for inventory management and market liquidity in the used-car sector.
References: Kommersant
Image: Semyon Lichodeev/TASS
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