Croatia’s used car market remained highly active throughout 2025, marked by rising prices and strong buyer demand for reliable, mid-age vehicles offering solid value for money.
Data from leading Croatian classifieds platform Njuškalo shows that the average asking price for used cars reached €22,800 in 2025, representing a 13% increase from 2024 — roughly €2,700 more per vehicle. Despite this, the most sought-after cars were typically priced around €18,000, reflecting continued demand for affordable options.
Mid-Age Vehicles Lead Buyer Preference
Cars aged seven to ten years proved most popular among Croatian buyers. These vehicles, usually clocking 125,000 to 130,000 kilometres, are viewed as providing the optimal balance between price, reliability, and remaining lifespan.
Meanwhile, the overall supply of vehicles on the market has become slightly younger. In 2025, the average age of cars listed on Njuškalo dropped to 10 years, down from 11 in 2024. Experts caution, however, that this shift is gradual and unlikely to significantly rejuvenate Croatia’s vehicle fleet in the short term.
Volkswagen remained the most popular brand among buyers, followed by BMW, Mercedes, and Audi. This pattern is mirrored in supply, with Volkswagen also the most frequently advertised brand, ahead of BMW, Audi, and Renault.
Top Viewed Models and Growing SUV Interest
Among the most viewed listings were familiar models such as:
- Volkswagen Golf 7
- Renault Clio
- BMW 3 Series
- Nissan Qashqai
- Škoda Octavia
- Audi A3
- Mercedes C-Class
Interest in SUVs is rising sharply, with searches for the Nissan Qashqai up by around 30% and the Volkswagen Tiguan increasing by over 40%.
Fuel Type and Transmission Trends
The market structure is gradually shifting in terms of fuel type and transmission. Petrol-powered cars increased their share from 29% in 2024 to 35% in 2025, while diesel vehicles remain dominant, rising slightly from 59% to 61%. Hybrid vehicles saw modest growth, up by one percentage point, signaling a slow but steady rise of electrified options.
Automatic transmissions are also gaining traction, with their share rising four percentage points compared to the previous year.
Premium and Electric Vehicles on the Rise
Listings for premium and performance vehicles are growing, including BMW M-line models, BMW M3 and M5, as well as electric vehicles like Tesla and the Audi Q4 e-tron. While still a small segment of the market, these listings indicate rising interest in higher-end and electric vehicles.
Dražen Mijoč, Director of the Auto Moto Nautika vertical at Njuškalo, noted that Croatian buyers remain pragmatic. “Buyers continue to prioritise proven models of medium age, though interest is gradually shifting towards slightly newer vehicles. The average age of cars being sold has dropped from 11 to 10 years, showing some movement, but not enough to significantly rejuvenate Croatia’s vehicle fleet,” he said. Mijoč added that buyers focus on overall value, including equipment level, brand, transmission, and engine type, rather than solely on vehicle age.
From Budget Cars to Luxury Supercars
At the top end, the most expensive used listings included the Lamborghini Revuelto, Rolls-Royce Ghost, and Ferrari 812 Superfast. On the budget side, the Citroën C2, Renault Megane Classic, and Opel Vectra were among the most affordable options.
Overall, Croatia’s used car market continues to be driven by trusted brands, practical models, and value-conscious buyers, even as interest slowly expands towards SUVs, automatic transmissions, and electrified vehicles.
