05 September 2025
What are the major trends shaping Europe’s biggest used-car markets? Can a brand’s country of origin boost the residual values (RVs) of its models? Plus, the biggest talking points ahead of this year’s IAA Mobility. Autovista24 journalist Tom Hooker examines the week’s biggest news in the latest Automotive Update podcast.
In this week’s episode, Autovista24 reveals the value retention trends across European used-car markets. Also, a deep dive into how a brand’s country of origin impacts its RVs. Is there such a thing as automotive home advantage? Finally, a look at what to expect from the IAA Mobility event in Munich.
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European used-car market declines
Stagnation and decline defined RVs across most European used-car markets in August. Absolute trade values for a typical 36-month-old car dropped in Austria, France, Italy, Switzerland, and the UK. Only Spain and Germany escaped this trend.
Compared with August 2024, RVs fared better overall. However, Italy, Switzerland, and the UK still posted declines.
Rising new-car costs are pushing more buyers towards the used-car market, lifting absolute RVs as higher prices are paid for models. However, when presented as a percentage of new-car list price (%RV), a different story emerges.
Month on month, used-car %RVs slipped across nearly all markets, with Spain the solitary exception. Elsewhere, declines ranged from a modest 1.8 percentage point (pp) drop in Germany to a sharp 5pp fall in Switzerland.
Can country of origin boost used-car values?
Used-car RVs are shaped by many forces, from shifting economic conditions to vehicle design and technology. But does a brand’s country of origin play a role in value retention and market prospects?
For example, Skoda is synonymous with Czechia’s automotive market. A 115bhp, 12-month-old petrol-powered Skoda Fabia with an automatic gearbox at 20,000km, retains a higher percentage of its value in its home market than in other countries.
More generally, certain models appear to gain a domestic advantage. The Peugeot 308 retains a greater amount of its list price at home in France, compared with Spain or Germany. However, the same was not true for all models examined. While there can be an advantage, this is often overshadowed by a variety of factors.
Key IAA Mobility showcases
This year’s IAA Mobility show in Munich is set to feature a host of new models and concepts from major carmakers. BMW is using the event to reveal its Neue Klasse electric platform. Spearheaded by the BMW iX3, the Bavarian brand says it marks the start of a ‘new era.’
Fellow German manufacturer Audi is presenting its renewed brand design. According to the carmaker, the Audi Concept C will represent ‘a new beginning for the company as a whole.’
Volkswagen (VW) will unveil a new fully-electric compact SUV, set to hit the market in 2026, according to VW’s technical development chief Kai Grünitz. The brand will also showcase the recently premiered T-Roc and the ID.3 GTX Fire+Ice. Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz is showcasing its new all-electric GLC and its new all-electric VLE.
Renault’s sixth-generation Clio will be on display in Munich, while Skoda plans a world premiere of its Vision O concept. Cupra will debut a concept called the Tindaya at the IAA. Notable non-European OEMs attending IAA Mobility include Hyundai, unveiling its Concept THREE car at the event. Fellow Korean brand Kia will also be on hand with its EV2 concept.
From China, BYD will be equipped with its Seal 6 DM-i Touring, a European debut for the company’s latest plug-in hybrid. Elsewhere, Leapmotor will present its B05 all-electric hatchback model at the IAA, according to Auto Motor und Sport.
