April used car exports down 1.3% year-on-year - Purchase prices predicted to rise due to weak yen and summer sales demand / Used Car Purchase Market Trend Report (June 2026 Edition)

Fabrica Communications Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Fabrica Holdings Inc. (Headquarters: Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, President & CEO: Masato Taniguchi), which operates the used car appraisal site "Kurumaerabi.com Kaitori," is pleased to announce a report analyzing the purchase market trends for May and predicting the car purchase market for June and beyond, based on purchase market data from the past 2 to 5 years.

【Key Points of This Report】

- Used car exports in April decreased by 1.3% year-on-year. The reduction was limited due to the securing of alternative routes.

- The average purchase price is predicted to rise above 1.1 million yen this summer due to the weak yen and summer sales demand.

- High-mileage and older vehicles may receive high appraisals due to overseas demand. Be aware of the risk of price drops if the yen strengthens.

The used car purchase market report for May 2026 and past reports can be viewed at the following URL:

May 2026 Used Car Purchase Market Report: https://www.kurumaerabi.com/kaitori/marketprice/

Past Report Archive: https://www.kurumaerabi.com/magazine/tag/125/

A brief pause due to Middle East tensions

*Calculated based on used car auction market and "Kurumaerabi.com" purchase market data over the past 5 years.

Since the start of 2026, the escalating political tensions around the Strait of Hormuz in the Middle East have been impacting Japan's automotive industry and used car exports.

In the UAE (United Arab Emirates), a major destination for Japanese used car exports, transaction and logistics stagnation were observed in some areas, raising strong concerns about negative market impacts. However, many Japanese used car exporters have now secured alternative transportation routes to Africa and Eastern Europe that bypass the UAE and Dubai.

Consequently, the number of used cars exported in April was 145,358 units (a 1.3% decrease year-on-year) (Note 1). Although exports to the UAE significantly declined, the overall decrease remained limited due to steady performance in shipments to other regions such as Russia and Tanzania.

Note 1: Source: Based on 2026 and 2025 Ordinary Trade Statistics (e-Stat)

Meanwhile, the escalating Middle East situation is not only affecting used car exports but also raising new concerns about domestic naphtha supply shortages through its impact on crude oil procurement and international logistics.

Naphtha is a basic raw material for petrochemical products and is involved in the supply of automotive parts and related materials, which could affect new car production and delivery times in the future.

While the semiconductor shortage that once caused used car prices to soar is largely being resolved, if a naphtha shortage becomes apparent, new car delivery times could be extended. If this happens, similar to the semiconductor shortage, demand for used cars with shorter delivery times could increase, potentially driving up used car prices.

Furthermore, due to the weak yen trend, Japanese used cars remain relatively inexpensive from an overseas perspective, creating an environment where overseas buyers are more willing to bid actively even at slightly higher prices in domestic Japanese auctions.

This leads to frequent bidding wars between domestic used car dealers and overseas buyers, resulting in high transaction prices in the auction market.

Additionally, vehicles that are often avoided in the domestic market, such as those with over 100,000 kilometers mileage or those over 10 years old since their first registration, are in strong demand in overseas markets.

Particularly in regions like Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe, Japanese cars are valued for their durability and ease of maintenance regardless of age or mileage, and export demand continues.

Even older or high-mileage vehicles may receive higher-than-expected appraisal values.

Used Car Purchase Trends

*Calculated based on used car auction market data over the past 2 years and "Kurumaerabi.com" purchase/trade-in statistical data.

*Forecast values are for reference only and do not guarantee actual purchase prices.

The current domestic used car market is in a period where dealerships are actively securing inventory for the summer bonus sales season.

According to simulations conducted by Kurumaerabi.com based on data from the past two years, the average purchase price, which fell below 1 million yen in early spring, is expected to rise to over 1.1 million yen by summer, with further market increases anticipated due to rising demand.

Popular models such as mini vehicles and minivans, which have high domestic demand, are expected to see increased demand leading up to the summer sales season.

Meanwhile, for high-quality vehicles aged 1-3 years, overseas export demand remains strong due to the weak yen, and purchase prices continue to be high.

For older vehicles with over 100,000 kilometers mileage, while domestic market valuations may be low, overseas markets show demand. In countries like Russia and various African nations, reliability and maintenance status are often prioritized over mileage, leading to prices that are less affected by domestic seasonal factors.

However, the current high price trend is supported by strong export demand due to the weak yen and concerns about new car supply. If these supporting factors weaken, for example, due to a shift to a stronger yen or stabilization of naphtha supply, purchase prices could decline.

Therefore, considering selling while the market remains at a high level is a rational choice to mitigate future price fluctuation risks.

Used Car Purchase Ranking by Body Type

Kurumaerabi.com presents the latest used car purchase rankings by body type.

*Compiled as of June 15, 2026.

*The body type purchase rankings on "Kurumaerabi.com" are proprietary data calculated based on auction market and internal statistical data; detailed figures are not disclosed.

Domestic Car Body Type Purchase Ranking

Rank

Body Type

Percentage (%)

Change from Previous Month

1st

Mini Vehicle

30.2%

+1.9%

2nd

Minivan / One-box

17.7%

-1.9%

3rd

Compact / Hatchback

17.2%

+1.2%

4th

SUV / Crosover

7.7%

+0.3%

5th

Sedan / Hardtop

7.0%

-1.1%

There were no major changes in the domestic car body type purchase rankings from the previous month. "Mini Vehicle" continues to hold the top position, with "Minivan/One-box" and "Compact/Hatchback" closely following in second and third place.

Imported Car Body Type Purchase Ranking

Rank

Body Type

Percentage (%)

Change from Previous Month

1st

Sedan / Hardtop

26.6%

+0.6%

1st

SUV / Crosover

26.6%

+5.3%

3rd

Compact / Hatchback

21.4%

-1.7%

4th

Truck

6.9%

-0.4%

5th

Coupe

6.2%

-2.6%

In the imported car body type purchase rankings, SUV/Crossover, which was third last month, increased in volume and reached the same percentage as the top-ranked Sedan/Hardtop, pushing Compact/Hatchback to third place. Additionally, Truck and Coupe, which were fourth and fifth last month, have swapped positions. Similar to the domestic rankings, the top three body types have increased their share.

About "Kurumaerabi.com Kaitori," a Free Used Car Appraisal Site

The "Kurumaerabi.com Kaitori" website provides information on used car purchases, offering valuable insights for selling a car, including market prices and user reviews of actual appraisals. It also features a ranking of recommended purchasing dealers selected by users and articles with know-how to solve common issues when selling a car.

Service URL: https://www.kurumaerabi.com/kaitori/

Company Overview

【Fabrica Holdings Inc.】

Representative: Masato Taniguchi, President & CEO

Headquarters: Akasaka 1-Chome Center Building 9F, 1-11-30 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Established: November 1994

Listed: Tokyo Stock Exchange Standard Market (Code: 4193)

Corporate Site: https://www.fabrica-hd.co.jp/

【Fabrica Communications Inc.】

Representative: Masato Taniguchi, President & CEO

Headquarters: Sanko Nishiki Building 8F, 3-5-30 Nishiki, Naka-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture

Business Activities: Business support system development and sales, Internet media business, Web marketing support business, Automobile repair and rental business

Investment Ratio: Fabrica Holdings Inc. 100%

Corporate Site: https://www.fabrica-com.co.jp/

<Contact for Inquiries Regarding This Release>

Fabrica Communications Inc. Public Relations Department

E-mail: press@fabrica-com.co.jp