Market
The best-selling used cars in the Netherlands in 2025
Key takeaways
- The Volkswagen Polo (71,308) and Golf (69,408) were by far the best-selling used cars of 2025, with the Opel Corsa (44,191) in third.
- A record 2,124,429 used cars were sold; dealers accounted for 65.2% of the market.
- Petrol made up 72.7% of used-car sales and fully electric 4.8%; the Tesla Model 3 was the most popular used EV.
- A popular model has lots of buyers but also lots of competition: price, condition and service history make the difference.
Which used cars sold best in the Netherlands in 2025?
The Volkswagen Polo was the best-selling used car in the Netherlands in 2025, with 71,308 sales. The Golf was close behind at 69,408, and the Opel Corsa came third with 44,191. These figures come from BOVAG (the Dutch car trade association) and RDC, and count dealer sales and private sales together.
| # | Model | Sold in 2025 | Segment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Volkswagen Polo | 71,308 | Small (B) |
| 2 | Volkswagen Golf | 69,408 | Compact (C) |
| 3 | Opel Corsa | 44,191 | Small (B) |
| 4 | Ford Fiesta | 35,135 | Small (B) |
| 5 | Toyota Aygo | 34,797 | City car (A) |
| 6 | Toyota Yaris | 34,112 | Small (B) |
| 7 | Ford Focus | 32,980 | Compact (C) |
| 8 | Renault Clio | 31,731 | Small (B) |
| 9 | Kia Picanto | 30,708 | City car (A) |
| 10 | BMW 3 Series | 30,280 | Mid-size (D) |
The pattern is clear: small, affordable cars dominate. Nine of the ten are city cars, superminis or compact hatchbacks; only the BMW 3 Series comes from a higher segment. For expats buying a first car here, that also means these models offer the widest choice. The model pages for the Polo, Golf and Corsa list the weak spots buyers check and how to get the best price.
Some models mostly change hands through dealers, others mostly between private people. From January to July 2025, dealers sold 11,236 Fiat 500s to consumers. In the same period 7,923 BMW 3 Series and 6,682 Citroën C1s were sold privately.
For sellers, that says something about the channel. A model that sells a lot privately often finds a buyer easily through your own ad. A model that mostly goes through dealers may be attractive for a dealer to buy from you. If in doubt, ask for both kinds of offer.
How big was the Dutch used-car market in 2025?
A record 2,124,429 used passenger cars were sold in 2025, up 3.7% on 2024. Dealers (autobedrijven) accounted for 1,384,996 of them, or 65.2%. The rest, just over a third, were private sales. BOVAG reported these figures based on RDC data.
The private market grew fastest. Up to the third quarter of 2025, private-to-private sales rose 6.7%, against 2.9% for dealer sales. More people are selling their car themselves. That makes a sharp price and a strong ad more important, because you compete with other private sellers and with dealers.
Which fuel types did used-car buyers choose in 2025?
Petrol remained by far the largest fuel type on the used market in 2025, with 72.7% of sales. Hybrids took 16.0%, diesel 5.5% and fully electric cars 4.8%. LPG cars accounted for 0.9%, according to BOVAG and RDC.
| Fuel | Share of used-car sales 2025 |
|---|---|
| Petrol | 72.7% |
| Hybrid | 16.0% |
| Diesel | 5.5% |
| Fully electric | 4.8% |
| LPG | 0.9% |
The electric share grew from 4.2% in 2024 to 4.8% in 2025, Autoreview reported from the same data. Diesel has become a small segment on the used market. If you sell a petrol car or a hybrid, you are targeting the largest group of buyers.
Which used electric cars were most popular?
The Tesla Model 3 was the most popular used electric car in 2025, with 11,338 sales. It was followed by the Volkswagen ID.3 (4,595), the Audi e-tron (4,236) and the Kia Niro (3,960), according to BOVAG and RDC. The Model 3 sold more than twice as often as the number two.
| # | Used EV | Sold in 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tesla Model 3 | 11,338 |
| 2 | Volkswagen ID.3 | 4,595 |
| 3 | Audi e-tron | 4,236 |
| 4 | Kia Niro | 3,960 |
With a used EV, buyers focus on the battery. A recent battery report showing its state of health makes your car easier to sell. If you are selling an ID.3 or another EV, have the battery tested first and put the result in your ad. Also mention how long the manufacturer's battery warranty still runs, because buyers will ask.
Does a popular model sell faster?
Usually, yes: many buyers search specifically for a Polo, Golf or Corsa, so demand is always there. But supply is large too. Buyers compare your car instantly with many similar listings. A sharp price, a complete service history and good photos decide whether your car sells or someone else's does.
| Popular model (such as Polo or Corsa) | Niche model | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of buyers | Large | Small |
| Competing listings | Many | Few |
| Comparing prices | Easy for buyers | Harder for buyers |
| How you stand out | Condition, mileage, servicing and price | Finding the right buyer |
| Time to sell | Often shorter at a market price | Can take longer |
How well do popular used cars hold their value?
Popular, affordable models generally hold their value reasonably well, because demand is broad. The residual value of an individual car depends mainly on age, mileage, condition, servicing and fuel type. Reliable percentages per model cannot be given; the market differs by version and over time.
What generally helps:
- A fuel type in wide demand. Petrol and hybrid together made up almost nine in ten used-car sales in 2025.
- Low running costs. Lighter cars pay less road tax, because motorrijtuigenbelasting (MRB) depends partly on weight. That makes city cars attractive to first-time buyers.
- Paperwork in order. A logical odometer history, a recent APK (annual roadworthiness test) and service invoices remove doubt for buyers.
- A mainstream colour and spec. Loud colours or rare combinations appeal to a smaller group of buyers, even on a popular model.
What does this mean when you sell your car?
If you drive one of the most popular used models, you have a big audience but also a lot of competition. Start with a realistic price based on your licence plate and mileage using the car valuation tool. Then use your ad to show why your car is the better choice.
- Gather the service book, invoices and APK reports before you list the car.
- Take photos in daylight, from every side and of the interior.
- Name the exact version: engine, gearbox and equipment. Two Polos from the same year can differ a lot.
- Reply to messages quickly. Buyers of popular models have plenty of alternatives.
Frequently asked questions
What was the best-selling used car of 2025?
The Volkswagen Polo, with 71,308 sales in 2025 according to BOVAG and RDC. That figure combines dealer sales and private sales. The Golf followed closely with 69,408. The Opel Corsa came third with 44,191, more than 25,000 behind the Golf, which shows how far ahead the two Volkswagens are.
How many used cars were sold in the Netherlands in 2025?
2,124,429 used passenger cars, a record and 3.7% more than in 2024. Dealers sold 1,384,996 of them, or 65.2%. The rest changed hands between private people. Up to the third quarter of 2025, private sales grew faster than dealer sales, so more people are selling their car themselves.
Which used electric car sold best?
The Tesla Model 3, with 11,338 sales in 2025. Well behind came the Volkswagen ID.3 (4,595), the Audi e-tron (4,236) and the Kia Niro (3,960). Fully electric cars together made up 4.8% of all used-car sales. With a used EV, buyers look first at the battery's state of health.
Does a popular model always fetch a higher price?
No. A popular model has many buyers, but also many competing listings. Buyers can compare easily, so an asking price that is too high stands out quickly. You get a good price with a realistic asking price, a complete service history, a logical odometer record and clear photos.
What share of used cars sold were diesels?
5.5% in 2025, according to BOVAG and RDC. Petrol had 72.7%, hybrid 16.0%, fully electric 4.8% and LPG 0.9%. That makes diesel a small group on the used market. Older diesels also face low-emission zones in some Dutch cities, which further limits who wants to buy them.
Sources
Written by
Redactie Sell Your Car · Editorial team
Our editors write about buying, selling and the rules around used cars in the Netherlands. We check amounts and rules at the source: RDW, Belastingdienst, RVO, BOVAG and ANWB.
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