Andalucía’s used-car sales fell 9.5% in September, far more than the 0.6% decline across Spain. The region, usually the country’s leader in secondhand car sales, still accounts for more than 18% of the market, but its lead is narrowing. Spain sold 1,640,051 used passenger cars and SUVs from January to September, up 2.6% year on year despite the national decline in September.
Madrid is catching up quickly. The capital region posted a 13.5% jump in used-car sales through September, reaching 252,556 units, while Andalucía’s year-on-year growth was just 0.8%. Castilla-La Mancha, Asturias, Navarra and Cataluña also moved ahead, with gains ranging from 3.3% to 5.1%. Europa Press reports that Spain’s ratio of used to new car sales is about 1.8 to 1. Secondhand cars still dominate the market. In Q2 2026, the average price of a used car listed for sale in Spain was €19,290, down 1.1% from a year earlier, information from the AUTO1 Price Index.
Provincial figures reveal the depth of the slowdown. Seven of Andalucía’s eight provinces recorded lower sales in September. Granada and Huelva saw the biggest declines, at 20.9% and 19.6%. Sevilla remains the largest provincial market, with 7,717 sales in September, down 6.7%; year-on-year growth there was almost flat at 0.7%. Málaga, the second-largest market, limited its September decline to 2.7% and posted a 1.5% annual rise. Jaén was the only province to grow more strongly, up 3.8% for the year.
Despite the setbacks, Andalucía remains ahead of Comunidad Valenciana, where used-car sales are down 4.9% so far this year. Galicia and Extremadura are growing at a similar pace, with gains of 0.8% and 0.9%. Sector analysts link the uneven results to local economic conditions and broader national shifts in supply and demand.
Buyers are choosing younger cars. Vehicles more than 15 years old still account for 41.6% of sales, but the share of cars up to five years old is rising quickly. That segment is up 5.2% this year and now represents 26% of all deals. More cars are entering the market as rental fleets turn over vehicles and companies renew their fleets, with returned leases adding to supply. The average used car sold in Spain is 11.4 years old. Private-party sales make up more than 60% of the market and often involve cars over 15 years old. El Diario notes that this keeps Spain’s car fleet old and slows its renewal.
Electric and hybrid cars are gaining ground. Sales of used pure electric cars jumped 39.8% to 27,920 units, while plug-in hybrid sales soared 46.9% to 43,762. Diesel remains the largest segment, accounting for 48.1% of the market, though diesel sales are down 2.9%. Petrol models sold 581,955 units, a decline of 0.2%.
Industry groups Ganvam and Faconauto are calling for a national plan to renew Spain’s car fleet. Both say the current Auto+ incentives do not encourage owners to scrap old cars, which they consider impressive to meeting Spain’s Sustainable Mobility Law. Their joint statement said: “These figures highlight the urgent need to activate the national fleet renewal plan to comply with the Sustainable Mobility Law, particularly as the Auto+ plan’s grants for the purchase of electrified vehicles do not include an incentive for scrapping.”
Drivers face more than a changing market. As reported earlier, the end of fuel tax breaks is already squeezing household budgets, while car ownership costs continue to rise.
Without new renewal incentives and action on the aging fleet, Andalucía could lose its lead as the market shifts toward newer, electrified cars.
