Q1 2024 Market Review: Prices, Trends and Forecasts

market-analysis q1-2024 review trends forecast

Q1 2024: The Used Car Market Overview

The first quarter of 2024 brought interesting developments in the premium used car segment. We analyse the key trends and provide an outlook for the coming months.

Market Overview Q1 2024

Overall Development

MetricQ1 2024vs. Q4 2023vs. Q1 2023
Average Price€14,850+2.1%+4.8%
Listings-8%-12%-5%
Days on Market42 days-6 days-3 days
Demand Index108+5 points+12 points

Price Development by Brand

BrandQ1 AverageChangeTrend
BMW€15,200+3.2%Rising
Mercedes€14,600+1.8%Stable-rising
Audi€14,750+2.4%Rising

Winners and Losers Q1 2024

Top 5 Value Increases

ModelPrice Q4 2023Price Q1 2024Increase
BMW Z3 2.8i€13,200€14,500+9.8%
Mercedes SLK R170€10,800€11,900+10.2%
Audi TT 8N Roadster€9,500€10,400+9.5%
BMW E30 Convertible€18,500€20,200+9.2%
Mercedes W124 Convertible€22,000€23,800+8.2%

Summary: Convertibles and roadsters show the strongest gains - seasonally driven by the approaching spring season.

Top 5 Price Declines

ModelPrice Q4 2023Price Q1 2024Decline
BMW X5 E53 3.0d€12,500€11,200-10.4%
Mercedes ML W163€8,800€7,900-10.2%
Audi Q7 4.2 TDI€16,500€15,200-7.9%
BMW 530d E60€11,800€11,100-5.9%
Mercedes E320 CDI W211€10,200€9,700-4.9%

Summary: Large SUVs and diesel models continue to lose value - a trend that continues.

Detailed Analysis by Brand

BMW

SegmentAverage PriceQ1 Development
Sedans€12,400+1.8%
Touring€11,800+2.2%
Convertible/Roadster€16,500+8.5%
SUV€14,200-4.2%
M Models€38,500+3.8%

Highlights:

  • E46 Touring stable, good entry prices
  • Z3/Z4 significantly increased
  • X5 E53 under pressure

Mercedes

SegmentAverage PriceQ1 Development
Sedans€11,200+1.2%
Estate€10,800+1.5%
Convertible/Roadster€14,800+7.8%
SUV€12,600-5.8%
AMG€42,200+2.4%

Highlights:

  • SLK R170 in high demand
  • W210 E-Class price stable
  • ML W163 continuing to fall

Audi

SegmentAverage PriceQ1 Development
Sedans€10,600+2.1%
Avant€11,200+2.4%
Convertible/Roadster€12,800+8.2%
SUV€15,400-3.5%
RS Models€35,800+4.2%

Highlights:

  • TT 8N Roadster on the rise
  • A4 B6/B7 stable base
  • Q7 losing value

Regional Differences

Price Comparison by Region

RegionIndex (National avg = 100)Trend
Southern Germany105Slightly rising
Western Germany102Stable
Northern Germany97Stable
Eastern Germany94Slightly rising

Tip: Buying in the East, selling in the South can mean 10% price difference.

Mileage Analysis

Impact on Price

MileagePrice IndexDemand
Under 100,000 km115%Very High
100,000-150,000 km100%High
150,000-200,000 km85%Medium
Over 200,000 km70%Low

Q2 2024 Forecast

Expected Developments

SegmentQ2 ForecastRecommendation
Convertibles+8-12%Avoid now
Sedans+1-2%Buy now
Estates+1-3%Buy now
SUVs-2-5%Wait
Diesel-3-5%Buy now

Buying Recommendations April 2024

Buy Now:

ModelCurrent PriceQ2 Expectation
BMW E39 525i€7,500Stable
Mercedes W210 E280€6,800Stable
Audi A4 B6 1.8T€5,500Slightly rising
BMW X5 E53 3.0d€11,200Continuing to fall

Wait Until Autumn:

ModelCurrent PriceAutumn Expectation
BMW Z3 2.8i€14,500€12,500
Mercedes SLK R170€11,900€10,200
Audi TT Roadster€10,400€9,000

Q1 2024 Conclusion

The first quarter of 2024 shows a divided market: While convertibles and roadsters gain significantly due to seasonal factors, large SUVs and diesels remain under pressure. The overall market is stable with a slightly rising tendency.

Our Top Recommendations for April:

  1. BMW E46 Touring - Price stable, good everyday classic
  2. Mercedes W210 E-Class - Diesel and petrol attractive
  3. Audi A4 B6 Avant - Solid base under €6,000

Analysis based on our continuous market observation. As of: April 8, 2024