Italian Used Car Market Experiences Slowdown in May 2026

The Italian used car market saw a decline in May 2026, with a total of 444,625 ownership transfers, marking a 3.1% drop from the previous year's 458,876 transfers during the same month. According to data analyzed by the UNRAE Study and Statistics Center, this downturn comes after a period of relative stability, highlighting a shift in market dynamics. Net transfers fell by 6%, while temporary transfers saw a slight increase of 0.8%.

Despite the decline in May, the overall performance for the first five months of the year remains positive. From January to May, there were 2,416,129 transfers, reflecting a 0.7% increase compared to the same period in 2025, and a 0.5% rise over 2019, the last full year before the pandemic.

Fuel Preferences Shift in the Used Car Market

In terms of fuel types, the used car market is witnessing a gradual transformation in consumer preferences. Gasoline vehicles continue to lead, holding a 38.6% share in May and 39% for the first five months. Diesel remains in second place but is experiencing a decline, dropping 4.1 percentage points to 37.9% in May, while its share for January to May stands at 38.2%. Hybrid vehicles are gaining traction, accounting for 12.8% in May and 12.2% cumulatively, reflecting growing interest in more efficient options. Alternative fuels show more modest figures, with LPG at 5.5%, methane at 2%, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) at 1.5%, and plug-in hybrids at 1.7%.

Private Transactions Dominate the Market

An analysis by buyer type emphasizes the significant role of transactions between private individuals and companies, which continue to represent the largest segment of the used car market. In May, this category slightly increased to 56.5% of ownership transfers, up 0.3 percentage points, while the cumulative figure from January to May remains at 56.3%. Conversely, the share of purchases made from dealers to final customers decreased to 38.7% in May, influenced by a rise in self-registrations to 3.7% and a recovery in rentals to 1%. This scenario indicates that the used car market is still heavily reliant on private transactions, while professional networks must adapt to new dynamics related to product availability and inventory management.

Regional Distribution of Used Car Transfers

The geographical distribution of transfers shows stability compared to previous months. Lombardy leads with a 16.2% share, gaining 0.4 percentage points. Lazio follows with 9.9%, and Campania occupies the third spot with 9% of the national market. Sicily remains stable at 8.5%, while Piedmont accounts for 7.8%.

Aging Vehicles in the Market

A key aspect of the analysis is the age of the vehicles being purchased. In May, cars over ten years old slightly increased their presence, making up 49.1% of net transfers. Nearly one in two used cars bought by Italians falls into this older category. Meanwhile, vehicles aged between six and ten years decreased to 16.7%, and those between four and six years old dropped to 10.4%. However, there is a rise in younger vehicles: those between two and four years reached 12.6%, while cars less than a year old accounted for 6.4%. Overall, vehicles under four years old constituted 23.8% of the market in May, an increase of 1.2 percentage points compared to May 2025. This trend indicates a growing availability of newer vehicles, primarily sourced from company fleets, rentals, and professional channels.

Trends in Temporary Transfers

In the realm of temporary transfers, which primarily involve the withdrawal of vehicles by professional operators, several interesting trends have emerged. The share of withdrawals by operators rose to 30.1%, while that of private individuals and other companies exchanging their vehicles dropped to 54.2%. The contribution from long-term rentals also increased to 12.1% in May, although short-term rentals saw a slight decline. In terms of fuel types, diesel remains dominant among temporary transfers at 40.4%, followed by gasoline at 31.9%. However, hybrids are showing significant growth, reaching 15.6% in May and 15.3% cumulatively. The shares of plug-in hybrids and pure electric vehicles also rose to 2.8% and 2.3%, respectively.

A Transforming Used Car Market

The UNRAE data confirms that the used car market is evolving. While older vehicles and traditional fuel types, especially diesel and gasoline, still play a significant role, there is a noticeable increase in the presence of hybrid vehicles and newer models. This shift is fueled by greater availability of vehicles from rental services and corporate fleets.

For dealers, aftermarket operators, and independent workshops, this changing landscape presents a significant challenge. An increasingly diverse vehicle fleet requires updated skills, appropriate diagnostic tools, and the ability to work with different technologies. The used car market remains a cornerstone of Italian mobility, but it is rapidly transforming, moving away from a sole focus on price to a growing emphasis on fuel types, technology, and vehicle history.