Introduction
There was a time when buying a used car almost always meant compromise: taking whatever you could find within your budget, crossing your fingers and hoping it would hold up. Those days are over.
The Belgian used car market is in the middle of a transformation. Rising new car prices, uncertainty over powertrains and growing distrust of private sales have changed how Belgian buyers behave. They take more time, ask more questions and are willing to pay a little more, but only if they are sure they are buying well.
For a car agent like Le Garage Privé in Wavre, this change comes as no surprise. It is exactly why the profession exists.
The market in figures: a record boom
- 727,650 used cars registered in Belgium in 2024
- +5.6% growth compared with 2023
- 6 in 10 cars registered in Belgium are used cars
- €12,600average price of a used car in 2024
These figures, from FEBIAC and Traxio data for 2024-2025, reflect a simple reality: the used car market is no longer a market where you have to fend for yourself. It has become the main car market in Belgium.
Why used cars are booming: blame new car prices
The average price of a new car in Belgium now easily exceeds €25,000. By comparison, a used car at an average of €12,600 costs less than half that budget. Unsurprisingly, nearly 38% of current used car buyers are former new car buyers who simply did the maths again.
⚠️ What many people don’t know: half of used car buyers in Belgium spend less than €10,000. At that price level, the risk of a bad deal is at its highest and support from a professional becomes crucial.
On top of that comes uncertainty about powertrains: diesel in decline, electric still finding its feet, low emission zones (LEZ) expanding in cities... Many Belgians prefer a recent, proven combustion-engine model rather than betting on a technology still in transition.
The real change: quality before price
This is where the trend gets interesting. According to Febelcar data, Belgian buyers are no longer just looking for the lowest price. They are looking for a secure transaction.
“Customers prefer dealers of refurbished cars with a warranty over unknown sellers. Their priority is buying with complete peace of mind.” (Febelcar, Belgian federation of automotive professionals, 2025)
In practice, this translates into measurable behaviour:
| Behaviour | Share of Belgian buyers |
|---|---|
| Check the Car-Pass before buying | 66% |
| Consider the Car-Pass “useful” or “essential” | 81% |
| Buy from a professional rather than a private seller | 2 in 3 |
| Former new car buyers switching to used | 38% |
Two thirds of transactions now take place with professionals. That is no coincidence: buyers know the risk they take when buying “privately” with no inspection, no warranty, no recourse.
Private seller vs professional: the real differences
Buying from a private seller
- No mandatory legal warranty
- Risk of undeclared hidden defects
- No systematic inspection
- Mileage verified via Car-Pass only
- No recourse in case of a dispute
- Emotional pressure during the viewing
Buying through a professional
- Minimum 12-month legal warranty
- Thorough vehicle inspection
- Reconditioning possible
- Recourse via the Conciliation Commission
- Full administrative support
- Neutral advice with no pressure
Since 2019, Belgian law has required a 113-point check on every vehicle resold by a professional. This is not a luxury: it is the minimum standard every buyer should demand.
What Belgians are actually looking for in 2025
The most popular powertrains
According to FEBIAC figures for the first half of 2025, petrol still dominates with 55.8% of the used car market, ahead of diesel (27.4%) and hybrids (12.7%). Used electric cars still account for only 3.9% of the market.
Vehicle types
SUVs remain the most sought after, especially compact and mid-size models, for their versatility as family cars. City cars follow closely for urban use in Walloon Brabant and on the outskirts of Brussels.
The best-selling used car brands
In 2025, Volkswagen and BMW lead the Belgian used car market, ahead of Mercedes, Peugeot and Opel. The Golf remains the best-selling model, followed by the Polo, the Corsa and the BMW 1 Series and 3 Series.
💡 Good to know: prices of premium used cars (BMW, Mercedes, Audi) have fallen by an average of 7.5% in a year in Belgium. It is the ideal time to move up a segment without blowing your budget, provided you check the condition of the vehicle carefully.
The classic mistake Belgian buyers make
Most buyers arrive with a budget in mind and look for the cheapest car within that budget. That is understandable, but it is often the wrong approach.
A €8,000 vehicle with 180,000 km, worn tyres, a timing belt that has never been replaced and a patchy service history can easily cost you €3,000 to €5,000 in repairs over the following 12 months. A well-maintained €11,000 vehicle with a full history and a professional warranty often works out much cheaper in the end.
- ✗Focusing only on the purchase price without calculating the total cost of ownership
- ✗Buying without checking the Car-Pass (mileage, reported accidents)
- ✗Ignoring the service history (service book, invoices)
- ✗Not having the vehicle inspected by an expert before buying
- ✓Using a car agent who checks, negotiates and secures the transaction for you
How Le Garage Privé helps you
buy better
At Le Garage Privé in Wavre, we are car agents. Our role is not to sell you a car from our stock, but to find you the best car for your situation, wherever it comes from.
That is the key difference from a traditional dealership: we have no conflict of interest. We work for you.
In practice, we can:
- Identify the vehicle that matches your real needs (use, budget, powertrain, LEZ compatibility)
- Inspect any vehicle before purchase with our 111-point inspection
- Decode the Car-Pass and service history for you
- Negotiate the price with the seller on your behalf
- Handle all the paperwork (transfer of ownership, insurance, number plates)
- Advise you on financing with no hidden commission
- Take back your current vehicle in the same transaction
Looking for a used car in Walloon Brabant or Wavre? Don’t waste weeks comparing listings on your own. Let’s talk about your project. The initial consultation comes with no obligation.
👉 Book an appointment with Le Garage Privé
FAQ
The average price is around €12,600 according to Car-Pass data for 2024, with an upward trend towards €15,500 in 2025. Half of buyers spend less than €10,000, and only 11% go above €20,000. For a budget between €8,000 and €15,000, Walloon Brabant offers a good local market with plenty of opportunities.
The law requires professionals to provide a minimum 12-month legal warranty, a 113-point inspection and recourse in case of a dispute. With a private seller, none of these protections exist. Buying from a professional costs 15 to 20% more on average, but it includes guarantees that can save you thousands of euros in repairs.
A car agent (or car broker) like Le Garage Privé works for the buyer, not for a stock of vehicles that needs shifting. The agent searches, inspects, negotiates and secures the transaction in your interest. A dealership sells cars from its own stock. Its interests and yours are not always aligned.
Compare similar vehicles on AutoScout24 and Car-Pass (same model, same year, similar mileage, same powertrain). Be wary of abnormally low prices: they often hide a mechanical problem, an undeclared accident or tampered mileage. A car agent can carry out this analysis for you and tell you whether the price is in line with the Belgian market.
Yes. Le Garage Privé handles both sides of the transaction: finding your next vehicle AND selling your current one. This is a major advantage over going it alone, where you have to manage two separate transactions, often on different timelines.