No, prices are not going to drop again.

The average price of a used vehicle is around €20,000 in France, which is 20% more than in 2020. According to L'Argus, prices have stopped declining since September 2025, and no one anticipates a drop in 2026.

The reason is mechanical. New car sales have contracted for the third consecutive year, with barely 1.6 million registrations in 2025. Less new cars today means fewer young used cars tomorrow. The tap is closed upstream, prices hold downstream. In 2025, 3.4 used cars were sold for every 1 new car. An unprecedented ratio.

Not everything is rising: the segment map.

Recent electric vehicles are plummeting: about -16% by 2025, and hybrids around -8%. Too much supply, not enough demand, express depreciation.

Well-specified recent thermal vehicles hold strong. Gasoline, 3 to 5 years old, low mileage, complete history: still the most sought after.

And then there are the rising ones. Sales of vehicles over 16 years old are strongly increasing, with the average age of a sold used car reaching 11.1 years. Behind the statistic, two realities: buyers fleeing recent prices, and a generation buying the cars of their adolescence. Cars that no longer depreciate. That appreciate.

What our sales tell us.

From 2020-2025, our data from over 1,500 annual sales already showed the surge of youngtimers and French GTIs. The 2026 trend confirms: vehicles of interest have decoupled from generic used cars. They no longer follow the depreciation curve. They follow the rarity curve.

This observation confirms the general trend: the price of older vehicles (over 10 years) continues to rise while that of recent used cars (under 10 years) is declining.

Why collectors resist when the rest plateaus.

A 205 GTI, an M3 e36, or a 996, are no longer being produced. Each damaged, exported, or neglected example reduces the global stock. Classic used cars are renewing, collectors are becoming rarer.

Add in the taxation: with a penalty that kicks in at 108 g/km for new cars and a 10% annual reduction on used imports, a vehicle over 10 years old incurs no penalty, even if it comes from Germany or Italy. The state taxes new pleasure and spares the youngtimer. The market has chosen its side.

The price that matters is the price paid.

L'Argus and the listings display expected prices. An auction shows a price paid, by a real buyer, on a specific date, in front of everyone. With over 1,500 sales per year across Europe, each Benzin result is publicly accessible: photos, history, final price. It's the most transparent real price database in the French market.

-> Search for a model on Benzin

A word from the team

The market sends a clear message: generic used cars have reached their plateau, recent electric cars are searching for their price, and vehicles of interest continue on their path, driven by rarity and favorable taxation. If you were waiting for a drop to make a move, the numbers are clear: it won't come. The good deals go to auction every week.

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FAQ

Will used car prices drop in 2026?

No. The market has stabilized at a high level, supported by the contraction of new cars. Only recent electric and hybrid vehicles are declining.

What is the average price of a used car in France?

Around €20,000 in 2026, compared to €15,000 in 2020.

Which used cars are increasing in value?

Youngtimers and vehicles of interest: sports cars and GTIs from the 80s to 2000s, limited editions. Growing rarity, generational demand.

Why are more used cars sold than new ones?

3.4 used cars for 1 new one in 2025. Rising prices of new cars and stricter penalties fuel the delay.