Import of Used Cars in Serbia Shows No Signs of Slowing Down – Euro 3 and 4 Engines Still Present
Statistics on the number of first-time registered used vehicles in Serbia (a fairly reliable indicator of used car imports) during the first six months of 2024 pointed to a concerning trend. Out of a total of 65,275 vehicles, as many as 30,618 (or 45.37%) had engines that met only Euro 3 and Euro 4 standards—emission norms that have been phased out in many EU countries due to their negative environmental impact.
Despite expectations that used car imports might decline in 2025—due to falling new car sales in Europe and increasingly strict environmental regulations—data from the first half of 2025 show the opposite trend. Specifically, 71,495 used vehicles were registered for the first time, marking an increase of 6,220 vehicles or 9.2% compared to the same period the previous year.
It is important to recall that at the end of 2022, the Government of the Republic of Serbia adopted the "Air Protection Program in the Republic of Serbia for the Period 2022–2030". This program envisaged that, by the end of 2023, a decision would be made to ban the import of vehicles with Euro 3 and Euro 4 engines starting from January 1, 2024. It also proposed incentives for replacing old diesel engines with Euro 6-compliant ones, and potentially extending this to petrol engines. A ban on the import of Euro 5 vehicles (produced between 2011–2015) was also planned starting from January 1, 2025. However, none of these measures have been implemented to date.
The increasing number of first-time registered used vehicles would not necessarily be a cause for concern—if these were modern vehicles contributing to fleet renewal and modernization. However, available data show that a significant portion of these vehicles belong to older generations, with lower environmental and safety standards, raising critical questions about their impact on air quality and road safety.
Of the total 71,495 used vehicles registered for the first time in the first half of 2025:
4,453 (6%) were Euro 3
22,823 (31.92%) were Euro 4
25,475 (35.63%) were Euro 5
18,744 (26.22%) were Euro 6
It’s worth noting that the Euro 6 standard was introduced back in 2016, so even among these vehicles, many are relatively old. In fact, only 4,173 vehicles are less than five years old.
Further analysis shows:
52,751 vehicles (74%) are older than 10 years
27,276 vehicles (38%) are older than 15 years
Nearly 4,500 vehicles are older than 20 years (indicating continued presence of Euro 3 vehicles)
Comparison with the same period in 2024 reveals the following trends:
Number of Euro 3 vehicles decreased from 6,273 to 4,453, indicating a shrinking supply of the oldest vehicles in the EU
Euro 4 vehicles slightly dropped from 23,345 to 22,823
The biggest growth is seen in Euro 5 vehicles—from 19,514 (29.9%) in 2024 to 25,475 (35.63%) in 2025
Euro 6 vehicles rose from 16,143 to 18,744
Most Popular Brands
Top 10 used car brands (based on first-time registrations) in the first half of 2024 and 2025:
2024:
Volkswagen – 12,703
Audi – 5,792
Opel – 5,303
Peugeot – 5,225
Renault – 4,463
BMW – 4,128
Citroën – 3,562
FIAT – 3,316
Mercedes – 3,295
Ford – 3,262
2025:
Volkswagen – 13,493
Peugeot – 6,427
Audi – 6,134
Opel – 5,476
BMW – 4,395
Renault – 4,273
Citroën – 3,951
Ford – 3,634
Mercedes – 3,564
Škoda – 3,553
Environmental and Safety Challenges
The data point to complex challenges—not only in terms of harmful emissions, but also safety. A significant number of imported vehicles lack modern safety features, such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, or pedestrian protection systems. This further emphasizes the need for reforms in this area.
The Serbian Association of Vehicle and Parts Importers continues to urge the relevant institutions to implement the ban on importing vehicles with Euro 3 and Euro 4 engines, in line with the country’s existing strategic documents. The Association will keep advocating for fleet modernization and measures that support public health and environmental protection.
Regional Practice
To conclude, it is worth noting examples from neighboring countries:
Montenegro banned the import of Euro 3 vehicles at the end of 2018, and from July 1, 2024, extended the ban to Euro 4 vehicles.
Bosnia and Herzegovina has prohibited imports of vehicles with Euro 3 and Euro 4 engines since May 2019.
North Macedonia currently allows imports of vehicles with at least Euro 4 engines, with an announced plan to raise the minimum to Euro 5 soon.
Photo: Freepik
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