In late October 2023, Russians spent a record amount on used cars, totaling 518 billion rubles, marking a 33.7% rise from October 2022. This figure is drawn from a joint study conducted by TASS, Otkritie Auto analysts, and the Autostat agency, providing a clear snapshot of consumer behavior in the second-hand car market.
When compared with September, October saw a 2.4% dip in spending on used vehicles. Still, the year’s first ten months accumulated 4.84 trillion rubles in expenditure, underscoring sustained interest in the secondary car segment despite monthly fluctuations.
The composition of the secondary market showed a clear tilt toward older vehicles. Cars aged ten years and older accounted for the largest share of this spending, with 200.5 billion rubles spent in October alone, representing 38.7% of all outlays on used cars. This share remained broadly stable relative to September, indicating entrenched demand for older, potentially more affordable models within the Russian market.
In contrast, spend on newer used cars—defined as up to five years old—reached 161 billion rubles in October, a slight monthly increase of 0.3%. Meanwhile, the least amount of money went toward cars in the five-to-nine-year bracket, tallying 156.5 billion rubles. The five-to-nine-year segment’s share in overall used-car spending declined by 0.5 percentage points from the previous month, settling at 30.2% as buyers balanced price with modern features.
Across January to October 2023, Autostat’s data indicated ongoing demand for particular models in Russia’s used-car market, with the Ford Focus emerging as a standout favorite in St. Petersburg. The model’s appeal—driven by reliability, availability, and familiar repair ecosystems—reflected broader consumer strategies in selecting cars that maximize value and minimize ongoing maintenance costs in a volatile market. For analysts, this trend illustrates how regional preferences in major cities shape national spending patterns in the used-car sector.
Industry watchers also noted a potential shift in the availability of new entrants and brands in the Russian automotive landscape. Earlier reports suggested that a new Chinese car brand, Deepal, might enter the Russian market, potentially expanding options for buyers seeking affordable, modern features in an increasingly price-sensitive environment. The emergence of such brands could influence both new-car and used-car segments by offering competitive price points and novel features that resonate with Russian consumers looking for value and long-term reliability.
Overall, the October results highlight a market characterized by a strong appetite for affordability and longevity. Buyers appear to weigh purchase price, reliability, and total cost of ownership when deciding between prolonging the life of an older vehicle, upgrading to a newer model, or exploring affordable, relatively fresh options in the used-car ecosystem. As October’s data lines up with broader year-to-date trends, it points to a market that remains active even amid economic fluctuations and shifting consumer expectations in Russia and the surrounding region. Analysts will continue to monitor model popularity, regional variations, and the impact of new brand introductions on pricing, availability, and future demand in both the used and new-car spaces.