The second-hand market in the province of Girona accumulated 2,878 passenger cars transferred during the month of April. This figure represents a contraction of 7.3% compared to the same period last year.
The negative trend is maintained when the annual total is analyzed. During the first four months of 2026, sales of used vehicles in the Girona demarcation reached 12,127 units. The figure reflects a decrease of 3.8% compared to the first four months of the previous year.
Girona's fall contrasts with Barcelona's rebound
The market behavior in Girona differs notably from that registered in other areas of Catalonia. While the province lost transaction volume, Barcelona led regional growth in April with an increase of 1.5%. The Catalan capital closed the month with 15,469 units sold.
Tarragona also registered positive numbers. The province increased its transfers by 0.6% to stand at 3,335 passenger cars. On the other hand, Lleida suffered the sharpest decline in the entire autonomous community. Its sales fell by 8.8% and were limited to 1,699 vehicles.
Globally, Catalonia experienced a slight decrease of 0.6% in April, with a total of 23,381 passenger cars changing hands. However, the balance for the first four months of 2026 is positive for the entire territory. The region has sold 98,647 vehicles, representing accumulated growth of 2.6%.
Young cars drive state demand
At the state level, passenger car transfers during the first four-month period reached 716,434 units. The national market shows technical stagnation with a marginal increase of 0.1%. However, the composition of demand is changing towards more modern and efficient vehicles.
Second-hand electric passenger car registrations soared 60% in April across Spain. Plug-in hybrid gasoline models also gained ground with a 37.6% increase. Models less than one year old registered a 27% rise, consolidating themselves as one of the few segments that escaped the general downward trend.
"The momentum of this market is in vehicles up to 5 years old... they are the most competitive and the ones that the buyer is looking for most now because they offer this balance between a tighter price, efficiency, technology, and equipment" - Faconauto, employers' association of the sector
The data reveal a duality in buyer preferences. While recent technology attracts attention, the economy continues to dictate many decisions. Cars older than 15 years accounted for four out of ten transactions in April. This segment experienced a slight rebound of 1.1%.
Business organizations in the automotive sector are requesting the activation of specific aid for the acquisition of used electric and hybrid vehicles. The objective of these measures would be to facilitate the withdrawal of the most polluting cars and raise road safety standards, in line with what is established in the Sustainable Mobility Law.