In 2023, the market for surplus German luxury cars in Russia saw prices rise by an average of roughly a quarter. The sustained absence of new imports and the lingering stock of vehicles brought in before 2022 contributed to a price environment that buyers could characterize as inflated. This observation comes from Life, which cited a Telegram channel called Shot Check as the source of its data.
Data from the channel indicates notable price movements by the end of December 2023. For instance, the Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse 180 shifted by about 46 percent higher than its January level, the Mercedes-Maybach S 680 climbed by around 18 percent, and the BMW X7 increased by roughly 34 percent. Vehicles released in Russia prior to 2022 were typically selling at premiums averaging about 25 percent above typical market levels.
Industry insiders in the automotive retail sector explain that a broader crisis has taken hold in the German car market. Both domestic sales within Germany and exports abroad have slowed, if not halted. The report suggests that German manufacturers paused production and disposed of assets in Russia, a market that has historically been a significant consumer of brands such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi. The situation underscores how geopolitical factors intersect with supply chains to influence pricing, residual values, and the pace of new car imports into Russia.
How did 2023 unfold for used car purchases by Russian buyers? Analysts note a marked shift in demand patterns, with buyers weighing the risks of limited new inventory against the higher costs of preexisting stock. The dynamic has practical implications for lenders, insurance providers, and aftermarket service networks that support a sizable contingent of imported luxury vehicles in Russia and neighboring markets. Observers continue to monitor whether the prewar supply constraints and the consolidation of dealerships will ease or persist in the near term. For more context, the referenced material cites a Telegram source associated with Shot Check as a primary data point for these price trends.