VavaCars: Second-hand prices of electric vehicles are 20.3% below the new list price

Second-hand vehicle platform VavaCars has published its new analysis that examines the new list prices of electric cars and their sales prices in the second-hand market. According to research data, the average second-hand sales prices of electric vehicles are 20.3 percent below the current new list prices.

As the market grows and technological uncertainties gradually disappear, the price formation in electric cars appears to be on an increasingly predictable basis.

BATTERY AND SCT DETERMINE THE SECOND HAND VALUE

The developing structure of the electric car market, fluctuations in new vehicle prices and tax legislation directly affect the formation of second-hand values. In addition to the basic elements such as model year, mileage, equipment level and damage history that determine the price in vehicles with traditional internal combustion engines, brand new criteria are added in electric vehicles.

Battery health, remaining battery warranty, range and charging capacity have become the most critical factors in the second-hand valuation of electric vehicles. In addition, the vehicle's price position in the new market and its tax bracket also determine its fate in the second-hand market.

TAX BRANCH BRAKES PRICES

Another important topic that stood out in the research was the Special Consumption Tax (SCT) slices determined according to engine power and tax base limits. While the price and version strategies implemented by automotive brands to keep their models in the 25 percent tax bracket fix new vehicle prices at certain thresholds, this also narrows the upward movement of second-hand prices.

Possible updates to tax brackets or base limits can be immediately reflected in new vehicle prices, causing the models in question to rapidly gain value in the second-hand market. So much so that, after such tax and price updates in the past, it was observed that the second-hand prices of some models exceeded their new list prices when they were first purchased.

9 OUT OF 10 VEHICLES SOLD ARE 160 KW AND BELOW

New car market data clearly reveals the consumer's preference. Approximately 9 out of every 10 electric cars sold in the first 8 months of 2026 will be models with a power of 160 kilowatts (kW) and below.

TAX DIFFERENCE

Sales in this segment increased by 7.3 percent compared to the same period of the previous year. The share of electric vehicles below 160 kW in the total automobile market increased from 13.5 percent to 16.8 percent. These statistics confirm that the weight of consumers who want to benefit from the 25 percent Special Consumption Tax advantage in the market is increasing. The tax advantage and the low cost for urban use in the face of increasing fuel prices keep the interest in these models alive.

In Türkiye, SCT rates on electric cars are applied as 25 percent or 55 percent, depending on the base value, if the engine power is below 160 kW.

For models with an engine power above 160 kW, 65 percent or 75 percent SCT is collected depending on the base value.

In addition, 20 percent VAT is applied to each model along with SCT.

'UNCERTAINTIES IN THE MARKET ARE REDUCING'

Evaluating the research results, VavaCars Commercial Group President Serdıl Gözelekli stated that the dynamics that determine the second-hand value of electric vehicles can now be read more clearly.