Used passenger car sales number in Japan 2014-2023

In 2023, sales of used passenger cars amounted to approximately 5.4 million in Japan, up from around 5.26 million unit sales in the previous year. According to the source, passenger cars dominated used vehicle sales by far, with mini cars (kei cars) being particularly prevalent.

Registrations are only an indicator of sales

The source determined the number of used vehicles sold per year by summing up re-registrations, transfer, and alteration registrations. Although the resulting number includes sales to end-users, it also contains many other cases. For example, a vehicle owner might only deregister an unneeded automobile temporarily to re-register it later on again. Or an owner gives the vehicle to a family member as a present (transfer). Or the owner changes the name registered due to marriage (alteration). Unlike for new passenger cars, there is no way of knowing whether the change in registration followed a deal. In short, the actual figure is probably lower.

What are consumer preferences in Japan?

As Japan has a high ratio of motor vehicles to citizens and one of the largest automotive industries worldwide, consumer surveys about vehicles are frequent. Although the exact market size for used passenger cars is difficult to assess, a good grasp of the typical consumer exists: the consumer tends to be male and in his 20s or 30s; more than 50 percent of buyers strike bargains below 1.5 million Japanese yen; people primarily get their used cars for the everyday commute to work or school and driving shopping. The most demanded vehicle type is - as supported by used car registrations - the kei car.