Market Report January 2026: BMW, Mercedes & Audi Used Cars
Market Overview January 2026
January traditionally brings movement to the used car market. After the holidays, demand normalizes while dealers pursue their early-year targets. Our data analysis reveals interesting developments.
Price Trends by Brand
BMW
| Model | Average Price | Trend | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| E38 7 Series | €16,915 | ↗ rising | 47 |
| E39 5 Series | €8,147 | → stable | 89 |
| E46 3 Series | €7,056 | → stable | 156 |
| E39 M5 | €34,989 | ↗ rising | 23 |
Highlight: The E38 7 Series continues its upward trend. V8 models with low mileage are seeing increased demand.
Mercedes-Benz
| Model | Average Price | Trend | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| W140 S-Class | €14,234 | ↗ rising | 34 |
| W210 E-Class | €5,892 | → stable | 78 |
| W124 E-Class | €12,456 | ↗ rising | 45 |
Highlight: The W140 is increasingly establishing itself as a collector’s item. Prices for well-maintained examples are significantly above average.
Audi
| Model | Average Price | Trend | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| B5 A4/S4 | €6,234 | → stable | 67 |
| C6 A6 | €10,292 | ↘ falling | 92 |
| RS4 B5 | €45,678 | ↗ rising | 12 |
Highlight: The RS4 B5 remains a collector favorite with severely limited supply. The few available examples command premium prices.
Seasonal Patterns
January confirms our seasonal analysis:
- Demand: 15% below annual average
- Negotiation margin: above average
- Listing volume: stable
This makes January a good buying time, especially for:
- Sedans (E38, W140, A8)
- High-priced models with longer listing times
Mileage Analysis
Our data shows varying correlations between mileage and price:
Strong correlation (every km counts):
- Audi C6/C7 A6: -0.89
- BMW E60 5 Series: -0.85
Weak correlation (condition matters more):
- BMW E38 7 Series: -0.45
- Mercedes W140: -0.52
Conclusion: For classics over 20 years old, focus should be on documented service history and overall condition, not mileage.
Price Volatility
Price ranges within models vary considerably:
| Model | Min | Max | Volatility |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMW E39 M5 | €18,000 | €65,000 | High |
| Audi C6 A6 | €4,500 | €22,000 | Medium |
| BMW E46 3 Series | €2,000 | €15,000 | Medium |
High volatility means: bargains are possible, but careful vehicle evaluation is crucial.
Outlook February 2026
For the coming month we expect:
- Slightly rising demand with early spring
- Stabilization of classic prices at high levels
- More listings after year-end inventory clearing
Recommendations
Buy:
- BMW E38 7 Series before further price increases
- Mercedes W140 as value investment
- Audi C6 A6 – still affordable
Wait:
- BMW E46 3 Series – prices stable, no rush
- Audi B5 A4 – sufficient supply
Watch:
- E39 M5 – use price fluctuations
- RS4 B5 – act on the right example
All data based on our continuous market analysis. Current prices on linked model pages.