In H1 2026, China exported 325,000 used cars worth USD 7.6 billion, surging 61% and 54% year‑on‑year respectively. Although the volume accounts for merely 6.4% of new‑car exports, its growth potential remains considerable. This performance was achieved against the backdrop of zero‑km vehicles gradually phasing out of the market, with genuine high‑mileage used cars taking centre stage.
China's used‑car exports saw explosive growth driven by zero‑km vehicles over the past few years, hitting 750,000 units in 2025. The new 2026 policy bars vehicles registered for fewer than 180 days from being exported as used cars and requires after‑sales confirmation documents from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), completely reshaping industry rules.
The new regulation brought short‑term growing pains, weeding out numerous speculative small‑and‑medium‑sized traders. Genuine high‑mileage used cars have become the main export force. Despite fluctuations in total export volume, the sector remains resilient. Exports are shifting toward Africa, South America and Southeast Asia. Demand for gasoline and hybrid models is rising, while progress has been made in new‑energy used‑car exports to selected countries. Supply and demand at home and abroad also underpin market development.
Nevertheless, used cars feature unit‑specific conditions and fragmented vehicle sources, together with inadequate cross‑border supporting services. Unlike new cars that can scale up massively, the sector will deliver steady structural growth rather than explosive surges in the future.
In 2026, China's used‑car exports bid farewell to zero‑km units and entered an era dominated by genuine high‑mileage used cars. Obvious industry divergence has emerged: exports linked to zero‑km vehicles have slumped sharply, while exports of genuine mileage‑bearing used cars are surging rapidly, returning to the essence of foreign trade.
Africa ranks as the world's largest used‑car import region, followed by the Middle East and Central Asia. The UAE serves as a key transit hub, with Nigeria standing out as a core market. Markets can be mapped by referring to China‑origin vehicle parc overseas: Latin America, the Middle East, the Eurasian Economic Union and the EU all represent potential territories. Vehicle selection must adapt to local conditions. Demand for new‑energy vehicles is strong in the EU and Southeast Asia, whereas Africa, Latin America and the Middle East show stronger preference for gasoline‑powered cars.
Geely has stepped into used‑car exports and plans to build a full‑value chain covering trade‑in acquisition, reconditioning and bulk export. Automakers aim for coordinated overseas expansion with traders, financial institutions, inspection bodies and platforms. Supporting after‑sales spare‑parts services are also provided to boost purchasing confidence among overseas buyers.
The shift of used‑car exports into the high‑mileage era essentially marks a return to commercial fundamentals. It leverages China's massive domestic vehicle parc to meet mobility demands in emerging overseas markets. Enterprises need to prioritize compliance‑driven operations, standardized vehicle‑condition assessment and local supporting services. Only in this way can China's used‑car exports achieve differentiated development alongside new‑car exports and secure long‑term, stable growth.