February saw a notable shift in Russia’s used car market as total spending on second-hand vehicles rose by 22 percent compared with January. The total reached 454.3 billion rubles, up from 371.9 billion in January, according to a report in TASS that cites a study conducted by analysts from Avtostat and Opening Auto. This rise highlights growing consumer activity in the pre-owned sector and reflects broader dynamics shaping car purchases in the country during that period.
A striking development within the month was the increased share of expenditures directed at cars aged ten years and older. This category expanded from 35.2 percent of all used-car spending to 41.2 percent, with a total outlay of 187 billion rubles invested in February 2024 on vehicles of that age group. The shift suggests a stronger appetite for more affordable, longer-tenure models among buyers navigating pricing, finance options, and supply constraints in the market.
In this environment, several models such as the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, Ford Ecosport, Renault Koleos, Toyota Venza, and Honda Crosstour appear to have limited sales volumes in Russia and attract relatively little dealer attention. Their minimal presence in new-car channels means dealers often view them as opportunistic purchases on the secondary market where margins can still be favorable for well-priced stock and quick turnover.
Inside the market analysis the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is singled out for an evident advantage in the used-car segment. A large portion of the Eclipse Cross listings for sale feature comparatively low mileage, which tends to appeal to buyers looking for a balance of price and fragility risk. The vehicle was also noted to use the same Jatco CVT transmission found in the more popular Outlander, a detail that buyers often weigh when assessing maintenance costs and reliability over the life of the vehicle.
Earlier reports described Skoda’s Kodiaq as a model with notable reliability challenges in some configurations, contributing to its reputation as a more complicated option within the brand’s SUV lineup. This context helps explain why certain Kodiaq units may require closer inspection by prospective buyers and service specialists before purchase, particularly in markets where maintenance options and spare parts availability can influence overall ownership costs.