The most expensive country in Europe turned out to be England – on average, prices in Foggy Albion are 21% higher than the European average. In second place is Switzerland, which is not particularly popular among our compatriots, where car buyers have to overpay 19% above the average price. In third place, surprisingly, is Germany, a true mecca for our car importers: 7% above the average price in Europe. In fourth place are the Austrians (104% relative to the average price), followed by the French (99%), Belgians (99%), and Spaniards (92%).
The cheapest car country in Europe, according to the statistics, is Finland. The choice of cars here is not particularly large, but the lowest prices were found for 31 of the 75 models studied.
Audi, Nissan, and Honda are especially cheap here – Audi 'fours' are on average 8% cheaper than their Central European counterparts, and various Nissans can be purchased at prices 8-14% lower than in other European countries. Unexpected leaders in cheapness in the country of the Yukka brothers turned out to be the Fiat Bravo, Mazda 323, Nissan Primera, and Subaru Legacy.
• This price review will be useful not only for those who are involved in the sale of used cars, but also for fans of foreign cars. When going to the car market, you will always be able to assess the fairness of the prices set by sellers for new or used cars.
In Germany, a favorite of our car importers, according to the study results, the most profitable purchase is the Mercedes S-class – you can easily save a few percent. In Belgium, from where re-exported VAZ 'eights' used to be mass-imported, it is now most profitable to take the Honda Civic – there it costs about 10% less than average – as well as a well-equipped Range Rover or the Audi 8 series.
Buyers of Land Rover, Fiat, or Mitsubishi should pay attention to France. When buying a Mitsubishi Carisma, for example, savings can amount to up to 23%. In addition, for some reason, relatively cheap Toyota Yaris minicars are sold in France.
In Portugal, the Fiat Punto and Nissan Almera are relatively inexpensive; in the Netherlands, some of the lowest prices are for the Volvo S40, Renault Megane, and Mitsubishi Space Star; and in Spain, for the Ford Fiesta and Ford Focus, Land Rover, and Renault Espace.
In Italy, small cars and almost all Japanese models are cheap. Interestingly, not long ago the Volkswagen concern was punished by pan-European authorities precisely because, through its dealers, it prevented customers from traveling to Italy for small 'people's cars'.
The Scandinavians – Denmark and Sweden – stand apart. In the country that gave the world Carlson, there are no automotive miracles. But still, one can find relatively cheap Saabs there and, moreover, buy an almost new car relatively inexpensively – its value drops sharply (more noticeably than in other European countries) in the first six months after purchase. In Denmark, prices for all car models are relatively low, but at the same time, sales taxes are very high, which significantly reduce the benefits of a purchase. The best options here are various Mazdas, the Nissan Almera, and the Toyota Corolla.
Overall, despite the large amount of material studied by the European Commission, its advice should not be taken as the only guide to action. The price base by country is rather a 'methodological manual', the data of which must be applied only in conjunction with many others. After all, car importers who deliver used foreign cars to Ukraine include in the final price the costs of obtaining a visa, substantial 'daily allowances', compensation for risk, and commissions to their business partners in Europe.