Autorola has reported record levels of cross-border used vehicle sales for its online remarketing platform as Europe’s used vehicle volumes balance themselves out between countries.

Morten Holmsten, Autorola’s global sales director.

In total, the firm offered over 450,000 used vehicles for sale across more than 20 countries through its online remarketing platform, with one in five (21%) sales being cross border.

Autorola said the growth is being driven by countries such as Portugal and Spain whose new car market suffered badly at the hands of the recession and are now being forced into importing used cars from other European countries to satisfy consumer demand.

Morten Holmsten, Autorola’s global sales director, said: “The European used market is very well established; but is still changing dramatically, particularly as individual countries strive to get their automotive industries back on their feet after the recession of 2008 and 2009.”

Portugal imported around 55,000 used vehicles in 2016, with the Renault Mégane, Peugeot 508 and BMW 1 Series all proving popular.

Spain and France are also importing more used vehicles as both markets look to satisfy consumer demand as they shake off the effects of the most recent recession.

The firm also reported that private buyers are slowly returning to the used market in Italy on the back of a tough economy, some changing their used car for the first time in a few years, while the trend has been to export its higher value cars. Many Italian cars offer good value and are highly specced and are being snapped up by German dealers, while Austrian dealers also buy Italian used cars not just for selling at home but for export to the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia.

Autorola added that Eastern Europe’s demand for used cars continues as consumer’s disposal income continues to grow, a trend that is likely to continue for many years to come. Many countries like Poland are buying up Europe’s older used cars, while Russian demand for aging 4x4s is strong.

The Swedish new and used markets are very buoyant with demand reaching a level that has forced traditionally conservative Swedish retailers into importing used cars into the country to satisfy the demand.

Norwegian dealers are using the country’s zero import duty rate for cars to import cars, particularly electric vehicles from Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands to satisfy consumer demand.

Further afield Autorola has received enquiries from used buyers in New Zealand for right hand drive used cars from the UK, as the country introduces a more flexible import policy.

“It is a remarkable dynamic that cross-border sales continue to help balance the continent’s used vehicle supply and demand. Within just a few days of a used dealer buying a car they can buy it online, have it delivered and put it on their forecourt for sale,” said Holmsten.

For more of the latest industry news, click here.