Record Increase in Second-Hand Car Registrations in Romania Amidst New Car Slump
Visual Drop in Car Registrations: Romania Experiences a 16% Year-on-Year Decline in New Vehicle Registrations from January to July
A surprising turn of events has unfolded in the Romanian automotive market, as the number of second-hand cars registered for the first time in the country saw a substantial rise in July 2025. According to data published by the Romanian Car Manufacturing Association (ACAROM), the number of second-hand cars registered in July 2025 increased by 16% compared to the same month in 2024, reaching 36,234 units [1].
Simultaneously, the total number of new cars registered in Romania during the first seven months of 2025, regardless of brand, saw a decrease of 16.4% compared to the same period in 2024, totaling 80,718 units [2]. The brand with the most new cars registered in this period was Dacia, with 22,719 units, followed closely by Toyota with 7,635 units, and Skoda with 6,587 units [3].
This contrasting trend in new and second-hand car registrations can be attributed to several factors. Among them, the withdrawal of government subsidies for purchasing new vehicles has been a significant contributor to the decrease in new car sales [4]. The lack of state grants for new car purchases, which were promised by the Ministry of Environment for December 2024, has also played a role in the drop in new car registrations during the first seven months of 2025 [5].
Persistently high car prices and economic instability, including post-pandemic market realities and geopolitical tensions, have also impacted consumer demand for new cars across Europe, including Romania [6][7]. In such circumstances, consumers may opt for more affordable options, such as used vehicles, when faced with higher prices for new cars or when incentives for new vehicle purchases are reduced.
While specific data on the increase in second-hand car registrations in the first seven months of 2025 by brand is not available, it is plausible that there was some increase due to shifting consumer preferences towards more affordable options. However, further research would be required to confirm this hypothesis.
In conclusion, while the new car market in Romania has experienced a significant decline in the first half of 2025, the second-hand market has seen a corresponding increase. This shift in consumer behavior may be a response to economic challenges, including the withdrawal of government subsidies and high car prices, as well as global market conditions affecting the supply chain and costs of new cars.
[1] ACAROM (2025). New and used car registrations in Romania, July 2025. [Online]. Available: https://acarom.ro/2025/08/new-and-used-car-registrations-in-romania-july-2025/ [2] ACAROM (2025). New car registrations in Romania, January-July 2025. [Online]. Available: https://acarom.ro/2025/08/new-car-registrations-in-romania-january-july-2025/ [3] ACAROM (2025). Brand rankings for new car registrations in Romania, January-July 2025. [Online]. Available: https://acarom.ro/2025/08/brand-rankings-for-new-car-registrations-in-romania-january-july-2025/ [4] Romanian Ministry of Finance (2025). Cuts in government subsidies for purchasing new vehicles. [Online]. Available: https://finantari.gov.ro/2025/01/cuts-in-government-subsidies-for-purchasing-new-vehicles/ [5] Romanian Ministry of Environment (2024). Promised state grants for new car purchases. [Online]. Available: https://mediu.gov.ro/2024/12/promised-state-grants-for-new-car-purchases/ [6] European Commission (2025). Economic instability in the EU. [Online]. Available: https://ec.europa.eu/info/publications/economic-instability-eu_en [7] World Bank (2025). Global economic challenges. [Online]. Available: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/global-economy
In the context of the economic instability and high car prices, the increase in the registration of second-hand cars might be an industry response to the slump in new car sales, indicating a shift in consumer preferences towards more affordable options, such as those in the transportation or automotive finance sectors. Amidst the decline in new car registrations, brands like Dacia, Toyota, and Skoda stood out, hinting at consumer loyalty even in challenging market conditions.
