Leased Cars' Age Decreases: Average Under 3 Years

The average age of used cars financed through leasing in Lithuania has fallen to just 2.3 years in the first half of 2026, indicating a strong consumer preference for newer vehicles. This trend places Lithuania ahead of its Baltic neighbors, Estonia (2.8 years) and Latvia (3.8 years), in terms of the age of leased cars.

Vaidotas Gurskas, head of Citadele Leasing's Lithuanian branch, attributes this trend to buyers prioritizing safety, modern technology, and long-term value, alongside purchase price and maintenance costs. The average financing amount in Lithuania reached 25,000 euros, higher than in Estonia (24,000 euros) and Latvia (21,000 euros), suggesting a willingness to invest in more advanced vehicles.

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In the Baltic states, we see different car purchasing habits, determined by both the purchasing power of the residents and the market supply. However, the overall trend in the entire region is the same – buyers increasingly choose cars, evaluating not only their purchase price but also the overall maintenance costs, safety, and long-term value retention.

Financially stable individuals around 40 years old are the most active car lessees. Those aged 35-45 are acquiring the most expensive vehicles, with an average price between 32,000 and 36,000 euros. Private individuals are also making larger down payments, averaging 27% of the car's value, compared to 20% for companies, which helps reduce monthly payments and overall financing costs.

Despite the growing popularity of hybrid and electric cars, diesel engines still dominate the used car market in terms of transaction numbers. However, Gurskas notes a significant increase in financing deals for gasoline cars (over 26% growth) and electric/hybrid vehicles (around 30% growth) compared to the previous year. This suggests a gradual shift away from diesel dominance in Lithuania's vehicle fleet over time.

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Although buyers in the used car market still most often choose diesel cars, the demand for other types of cars is growing rapidly. The number of financing transactions for gasoline cars has increased by more than 26% compared to last year, and for electric cars and hybrid cars – by about 30%. If this trend continues, the share of diesel cars in the country's car fleet should decrease over time.