The Uruguayan Car Market: Part 1 – New vs. Used

A feature of the Uruguayan market is the very slow renewal of the vehicle fleet. The average age of cars is high: they often remain in service for more than a decade. For this reason, the Automotive Trade Association of Uruguay (ACAU) calls for faster fleet renewal. For example, it proposes limiting the use of cars more than 25 years old while supporting owners of older cars in switching to new ones. The goal is to improve road safety and environmental performance through more modern vehicles.

New and used cars: the specifics of the market

New vehicles. Uruguay’s new-car fleet is supplied through imports, mainly from Brazil, Argentina, China and other countries. In 2023, Chevrolet was the sales leader (approximately 10,500 cars), followed by Fiat (approximately 6,300) and the Volkswagen, Suzuki and Renault groups (more than 5,000 each) uruguayxxi.gub.uy . It is worth noting the growing share of Chinese brands: they accounted for approximately 9% of the market in 2023, and their share rose to 14% from January to July 2024. The success of electric vehicles from the Chinese brand BYD is especially impressive: 1,537 BYD electric vehicles were sold in the first seven months of 2024, compared with 469 in all of 2023. Overall, electric-vehicle sales are rising sharply, as discussed below.

The most popular models of new passenger cars in 2024 were budget hatchbacks and compact sedans. The year’s top three bestsellers were as follows autoblog.com.uy :

• Chevrolet Onix/Onix Plus – 4,959 units (compact hatchback/sedan);
• Hyundai HB20/HB20S – 3,944 units (compact hatchback / sedan);
• Renault Kwid – 2,196 units (subcompact hatchback).

They were followed by the BYD Seagull electric car (1,667 units), the Fiat Mobi city minicar (1,560), Citroën C3 (1,539), Peugeot 208 (1,339), VW Polo (1,174) and others. Notably, the top ten included two electric models: in addition to the BYD Seagull, there was also the BYD e2 hatchback (957 units). This indicates a shift in demand toward environmentally friendly cars.

Used cars. Uruguay’s used-car market relies primarily on domestic turnover: imports of used cars have been prohibited by law since 2013 embassyofuruguay.us . Exceptions are made only in special cases—for example, for Uruguayan emigrants returning home (who may import one personal car more than one year old duty-free) or for rare classic cars. In general, importing a used car for resale is prohibited. Therefore, Uruguayans can buy used cars only from those already available on the domestic market, which limits supply and keeps prices high. Many residents use their cars for a very long time, explaining why the average fleet age exceeds 15 years and why so many older models remain on the roads. ACAU and the authorities are discussing programmes to encourage the voluntary scrapping of old cars, but these are still only at the planning stage.

The situation with used cars in Uruguay contrasts with that in some neighbouring countries. For example, Paraguay and Chile allow large-scale imports of used cars from the United States or Japan, resulting in a greater number of inexpensive used cars there. Uruguay does not have such a practice, which makes used cars very expensive—older cars, especially popular models, often cost nearly as much as new ones. On the other hand, this policy protects the new-car market and contributes to fleet renewal within the country.

Popular models and their cost (2024-2025)

The cost of cars in Uruguay is significantly higher than in Europe or the United States due to taxes (discussed below). Below are the approximate prices for the most popular models:

• Chevrolet Onix is one of the sales leaders. The base Onix 1.0 LS costs about USD 17,000–19,000, while better-equipped versions (the Onix Plus sedan, etc.) cost up to approximately USD 22,000 carper.com.uy .
• Hyundai HB20 is a close competitor to the Onix. Prices likewise start at approximately USD 18,000 for basic trims and rise to USD 22,000–23,000 for higher-end versions.
• The Renault Kwid is the most affordable new car on the market. The compact hatchback, with a 1.0-litre engine, costs approximately USD 14,000–16,000 depending on the trim. For example, the Kwid Glassy version was offered for USD 13,990 with a three-year warranty. Its main competitors are the Fiat Mobi (approximately USD 14,390) and Suzuki Alto (approximately USD 14,490).
• BYD Seagull (EV) is a compact electric car made in China. Due to tax incentives (zero duties), its price is relatively low: approximately USD 20,000–24,000, depending on battery capacity. For example, the Seagull version with a range of approximately 300 km was offered for around USD 21,990, while the longer-range version, with approximately 380 km of range, cost USD 23,990.
• Peugeot 208 is a European B-segment hatchback assembled in Argentina and costs approximately USD 20,000–22,000 in base versions.
• Volkswagen Polo – approximately USD 18,000–20,000 (the budget Polo Track 1.6 version sold for approximately USD 19,000).
• BYD e2 (EV) – a C-segment electric hatchback, more expensive than the Seagull: approximately USD 25,000–30,000 (the exact price depends on the battery version).

It should be noted that prices for new cars are usually quoted in US dollars and include VAT. Dealers often offer financing options with a down payment and monthly payments in pesos. For example, some Chevrolet Onix dealerships advertised a scheme of “USD 5,600 upfront + 60 payments of UYU 9,800” carone.com.uy . However, foreigners may have difficulty obtaining financing: without a permanent-resident ID card, banks usually refuse car loans.

Prices for used cars depend on age and condition but remain high. Popular economy models that are five to seven years old (for example, the Suzuki Celerio and Nissan March) often cost USD 8,000–12,000. Sedans that are 10–15 years old (the Toyota Corolla and VW Gol) can be priced at USD 5,000–8,000.

Thus, even an old car in Uruguay is a significant investment, which makes buyers choose carefully and check its technical condition before purchase. In the next part, we will examine taxes, duties and expenses involved in buying a car in Uruguay. We will also consider incentives for purchasing eco-friendly cars and government initiatives.

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