Used Car Market Stays in the Grip of Stagnation as Egypt Enters H2 2026

The used car market is still struggling to find its footing. The first month of the second half of 2026 has passed without any sign of recovery, as the stagnation that dominated the market throughout the previous six months continues unabated. Price chaos, unclear evaluation standards, and inflated asking prices remain the order of the day. The market is frozen.

Weak Movement and Limited Demand

Market experts confirmed that July brought nothing new in terms of sales activity. The movement is minimal, and demand is restricted to cars priced below 400,000 to 500,000 Egyptian pounds. This price bracket is the only segment seeing any interest, while higher-priced vehicles remain outside the buying circle.

Fadel Mahmoud, a car dealer, stated that the market saw no improvement during the first month of the second half of the year, noting that the stagnation affecting the used car market in the first half is still going strong, and that buying and selling activity is moving at a slow pace compared to previous years. Nothing has changed.

Pricing Chaos Haunts the Market

He explained that a significant number of cars listed for sale have remained without buyers for extended periods, primarily because some owners insist on high prices that don't match the actual value of the vehicles or the current market conditions. He added that the absence of a clear reference for pricing used cars remains the biggest challenge, as many sellers rely on personal estimates and exaggerated prices.

This wide variance between similar cars in terms of model, condition, and specifications has created a sense of distrust among buyers, especially with used car prices approaching those of new vehicles. Consequently, sales have declined noticeably. The market is suffering from a genuine crisis of confidence.

Transparency Is the Way Forward

Fadel Mahmoud emphasizes that reviving the used car market will only be achieved through accurate technical evaluation of each car, setting fair prices, and avoiding exaggeration by both dealers and car owners. He pointed out that achieving greater transparency and realism in pricing will restore trust between sellers and buyers, and help boost sales activity in the coming period, after months of stagnation that affected all market players.

The alternative is clear. Either the market moves toward more realistic pricing, or the stagnation that hits every transaction continues. The coming period will decide this direction, especially with the year-end approaching and the growing need for liquidity among sellers.