Market Report January 2024: Year Start in the Used Car Market
market-analysis january-2024 monthly-report price-trends
January 2024: Market Overview
The first month of the year shows moderate activity. After the Christmas business, movement is slowly returning to the market.
Current Prices by Brand
BMW
| Model | Average | Change | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| E38 7 Series | €15,850 | +1% | 48 |
| E39 5 Series | €7,920 | stable | 89 |
| E46 3 Series | €6,780 | -2% | 156 |
| E39 M5 | €33,200 | +2% | 15 |
| E90 3 Series | €8,450 | -1% | 112 |
Mercedes-Benz
| Model | Average | Change | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| W140 S-Class | €13,650 | +1% | 35 |
| W210 E-Class | €5,720 | stable | 78 |
| W124 E-Class | €12,100 | +2% | 39 |
| CLK W209 | €8,350 | +1% | 45 |
Audi
| Model | Average | Change | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| B5 A4/S4 | €6,050 | stable | 68 |
| C6 A6 | €10,100 | -1% | 95 |
| RS4 B5 | €43,500 | +2% | 8 |
| A3 8L | €3,550 | stable | 52 |
Seasonal Analysis
Typical January Patterns
- Demand recovering: +12% compared to December
- Dealer inventory: High due to year-end trade-ins
- Negotiation margin: Still good, approx. 5-8%
Weather Influence
The mild January led to:
- Stable convertible demand (atypical)
- Less all-wheel drive premium than usual
- Good viewing opportunities
Top Deals of the Month
Under €10,000
BMW E46 325i - Average €6,200
- Powerful M54 inline-six
- Sporty performance
- Good parts availability
Mercedes W210 E320 - Average €6,800
- Sovereign V6 engine
- High comfort
- Solid quality
€10,000-25,000
BMW E38 735i - Average €14,200
- V8 luxury with potential
- Historic registration within reach
- Rising collector demand
Audi C6 A6 3.0 TDI Quattro - Average €12,500
- Powerful diesel
- All-wheel drive safety
- Modern equipment
Market Trends January
Rising Demand
- Youngtimers: Vehicles from 1994 onwards in demand
- V8 models: Before possible driving bans
- Well-maintained originals: Collector market active
Stable Demand
- Daily drivers: E46, W203, B6 A4
- Diesel models: Still popular despite discussions
Declining Demand
- High-priced sports cars: January restraint
- Older high-performance diesels: Euro 4/5 uncertainty
Mileage Analysis
Our January data shows:
| Model Category | Optimal Mileage | Price Premium |
|---|---|---|
| E38/E39 (20+ years) | Under 150,000 km | +15-25% |
| E46/W203 (15-20 years) | Under 120,000 km | +10-20% |
| E90/W204 (10-15 years) | Under 100,000 km | +8-15% |
Regional Price Differences
| Region | Price Level | Supply |
|---|---|---|
| Bavaria | +12% | High |
| Baden-Wurttemberg | +8% | Medium |
| NRW | Average | Very high |
| Northern Germany | -5% | Medium |
| Eastern Germany | -12% | Good |
Outlook February 2024
For the coming month we expect:
- Increasing activity: Spring preparation
- Price stability: For youngtimers
- More listings: Dealers clearing inventory
Recommendations
Buy Now
- BMW E38 7 Series - Before further increases
- Mercedes W124 - Classic boom continues
- Audi B5 A4 Quattro - Affordable all-wheel option
Wait
- Convertibles until March (seasonal premiums)
- High-priced M/AMG models (use January restraint)
Sell
- Diesels with Euro 4/5 - before possible value drops
- High-mileage daily drivers - use spring demand
All data based on our continuous market analysis. As of: January 29, 2024