April 2025 shows +3.9% increase in sales: diesel and petrol fall, while hybrid and recent cars gain ground
Another strong month for the used car market
The used car market continues its upward trend. In April 2025, Italy recorded over 461,000 ownership transfers, marking the eighth consecutive month of growth with a +3.9% rise compared to April 2024. The overall figure for the first four months also shows a positive trend, despite a slight drop compared to 2019 levels.
Direct transfers rose by 1.7%, while minivoltures (temporary ownership transfers by dealers) surged by 6.9%, indicating increased activity from professional operators.
Fuel types: hybrids gain, diesel and petrol decline
Diesel remains the top powertrain in direct transfers with a 42.7% share, but its dominance is steadily shrinking. Petrol-powered vehicles also declined to 38.2%. In contrast, hybrids saw strong growth, reaching 9.8% in April. Alternative fuels like LPG, methane, electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrids showed stable or slightly rising shares.
Minivoltures confirm this trend, with hybrids reaching 13.0%, demonstrating a shift in consumer preference toward more eco-friendly and efficient options, even in the second-hand market.
Who buys and sells: private individuals take the lead
Ownership transfers between private individuals and companies remain the majority, at 56%, showing the strength of the peer-to-peer market. Meanwhile, dealer-to-customer transactions dropped slightly to 39.7%. Transfers from long-term rentals and self-registrations gained ground slightly.
Regional data: Lombardy leads, but Sicily and Veneto grow
In terms of regions, Lombardy stays at the top with 16% of all ownership transfers, followed by Lazio (9.7%) and Campania (9.1%). Sicily (8.3%) and Veneto (8.0%) are catching up, reflecting broader national participation in the used market.
Younger used cars gain popularity
The market shows a clear move toward younger vehicles. While cars over 10 years old still account for 47.7% of sales, their share is shrinking. Cars between 2 to 4 years old now represent 12.2% of the market, and 1 to 2 years old cars stand at 5%. Overall, vehicles under 4 years old accounted for 23.5% of sales in April, up 1.6 percentage points from 2024.
In minivoltures, the trend is even more pronounced: 32.7% of cars are less than 4 years old, an impressive increase of 5.3 points over the previous year.
Dealer behavior: more recent cars entering the cycle
Dealers are increasingly acquiring newer vehicles, particularly from long-term rental fleets and self-registrations. The share of cars over 10 years continues to decline, indicating a push for a more modern and efficient used car stock.
FAQ
1. What was the trend for used cars in April 2025?
The market grew by 3.9% year-over-year.
2. Which fuel types are increasing in popularity?
Hybrid cars are rising sharply in both ownership transfers and minivoltures.
3. Is diesel still the most common fuel?
Yes, but its share is decreasing, standing at 42.7%.
4. Are newer or older cars being traded more?
Newer vehicles under 4 years old are becoming more common.
5. Who sells most used cars?
Private individuals and companies still dominate, with a 56% share.
6. Which region leads the used car market?
Lombardy, followed by Lazio and Campania.
7. What role do rental cars play?
They represent a growing share, especially among dealers’ acquisitions.
8. What about electric vehicles?
Still limited but slowly growing: 1.0% in direct transfers, 1.4% in minivoltures.
9. What are minivoltures?
Temporary transfers, often by dealers, before final resale.
10. Has the market returned to pre-Covid levels?
Not fully. April 2025 still shows a slight drop (-1.2%) compared to April 2019.
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