Used Cars Remain Popular Although the new car financing market grew rapidly in 2025, experts point out that much of this increase was driven by businesses. According to Autoplius.lt CEO Dovilė Lukavičiūtė, growth was supported by manufacturer and importer discounts, government subsidies for electric and hybrid cars, falling EURIBOR rates, and favorable economic conditions. Still, private buyers remain more active in the used car segment.
“In financing, used cars dominate because these buyers often value flexibility and speed. That’s why they frequently choose either fixed-rate car loans of up to €20,000 or premium loans with variable rates of up to €40,000. Unlike traditional leasing, these solutions don’t require CASCO insurance or a large down payment,” says Ernestas Kazlauskas, Head of Car Financing at Inbank.
He adds that the average financed amount for car loans is about €7,000, while for premium loans it’s around €20,000. Most car financing clients are aged 25–45 and earn between €1,200 and €2,500 per month.
Interestingly, while digital tools are increasingly popular, most buyers still prefer to inspect cars in person. Sellers are also changing their approach – offering more transparent listings and detailed reports, which, according to Lukavičiūtė, can double buyer interest.
Familiar Favorites Dominate In the new car segment, the most popular brands and models remain similar to last year: Toyota (RAV4, Yaris Cross, Corolla), Volkswagen (Tiguan, T-Roc, Golf, ID.3/ID.4), Škoda (Octavia, Kodiaq, Fabia), Kia (Sportage, Ceed), and Nissan Qashqai.
Hybrid engines lead the segment with 55.5% market share, followed by diesel (20.6%), petrol (18.4%), and electric cars (5.5%).
In the used car market, the most popular models in early 2025 were the Toyota Corolla, BMW 5 Series, and Audi A6. Diesel still dominates with around 60% market share, followed by petrol (30%), hybrids (almost 9%), and electric vehicles (1%). While alternative fuels remain niche, their popularity is growing – hybrid imports rose by 45% and electric by over 50% compared to last year.
Common Mistakes to Avoid Kazlauskas advises that before buying, customers should first identify the model and segment they want, then check financing options to avoid disappointment if a loan can’t be approved due to financial reasons.
“The main mistakes buyers make are underestimating their monthly commitments, choosing too short a financing term (which raises the monthly payment and reduces flexibility), and failing to consider possible scenarios when selecting a variable interest rate with EURIBOR,” he says.
His advice: compare variable and fixed-rate scenarios, assess your options in advance, and borrow responsibly.
