Used Car Prices Rise in Turkey but Fall in Real Terms, January 2026 Report Shows

Turkey’s second-hand automobile market entered 2026 with renewed momentum, marked by rising nominal prices, stronger demand, and higher sales volumes. However, when adjusted for inflation, vehicle prices continue to decline, highlighting the complex dynamics shaping the used-car sector.

According to the January 2026 “Sahibindex Automobile Market Outlook” report, jointly prepared by Bahçeşehir University’s Economic and Social Research Center (BETAM) and sahibinden.com, the market experienced a notable uptick in activity during December 2025. While average vehicle prices climbed year-on-year, real prices declined, suggesting that inflation remains a key factor influencing purchasing power.

Nominal Price Growth Masks Real Decline

The report shows that the average used car price reached ₺1.108 million in December 2025. This represents a 22% nominal increase compared to the same month of the previous year. Despite this apparent growth, inflation-adjusted figures tell a different story.

In real terms, used-car prices fell by 6.8%, indicating that vehicles have become cheaper after accounting for rising consumer prices across the economy. This divergence between nominal and real pricing underscores the persistent impact of inflation on household purchasing decisions and asset valuation.

When broken down by vehicle segment, B-segment cars recorded the largest annual price increase at 26.6%, reflecting sustained demand for compact, fuel-efficient models. E-segment vehicles followed with a 22.7% increase, suggesting continued interest in higher-end used cars despite tighter financial conditions.

Vehicle Age Plays a Key Role in Pricing Trends

Price movements varied significantly depending on vehicle age. Among older models, cars manufactured between 2014 and 2018 saw prices rise by 15.7%, indicating stable demand for relatively modern, yet more affordable, vehicles.

In contrast, vehicles from the 2004–2008 model years experienced a more modest price increase of 6.9%, pointing to softer demand for older inventory.

Newer models displayed mixed performance. The largest price increase among recent vehicles was observed in 2019 models, which rose 17%. Meanwhile, 2024 model-year vehicles recorded a monthly decline of 0.5%, bringing their average price down to ₺2.013 million. This suggests that supply-side factors or waning demand may be affecting the latest vehicles on the second-hand market.

Fuel Type Influences Market Performance

Fuel preferences continue to shape price trends in Turkey’s used car market. According to the report, gasoline-powered vehicles registered the highest annual price increase at 19.5%, reflecting their widespread availability and relatively lower maintenance costs.

Hybrid vehicles followed with a 15.9% increase, indicating steady consumer interest in fuel-efficient alternatives. Meanwhile, electric vehicles (EVs) posted the lowest price growth at 7.2%, signaling a slower rate of appreciation amid uncertainties about charging infrastructure, resale value, and rapid technological change.

Supply and Demand Move Higher Together

Market activity intensified toward the end of the year, with both supply and demand showing upward momentum. The number of used car listings rose by 1.2% month-on-month, reaching 967,173 active listings in December 2025.

At the same time, the automobile demand index increased by 10%, both compared to the previous month and the same period a year earlier. User engagement indicators mirrored this trend, pointing to growing consumer interest despite declining real prices.

This synchronized rise in listings and demand suggests that sellers and buyers are re-engaging with the market after a period of relative caution.

Sales Volume and Market Liquidity Improve

Sales performance strengthened significantly during the month. The number of sold listings climbed 20.1% to 243,252 transactions. As a result, the sales-to-listings ratio increased to 25.2%, indicating improved market liquidity and a higher likelihood that listings will convert to completed sales.

However, despite the increase in sales activity, the average time vehicles spent on the market also edged higher. The report notes that the average listing duration rose by 0.9 days to 21.6 days, suggesting that while more vehicles are being sold, buyers are taking slightly longer to finalize purchasing decisions.