Used hybrid cars gain popularity in Poland: maritime transport of vehicles

According to an analysis of over 770,000 hybrid vehicles in the CARFAX database, the average used hybrid car in Poland is four years old and has 99,000 kilometers on the odometer. Used hybrids present nearly half the purchasing risk compared to all used vehicles—41% of them have a recorded history of incidents worth investigating before purchase, such as prior damage or irregular mileage readings. By contrast, this percentage stands at 77% for all used cars.

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18 march 2025   |   12:14   |   Source: Gazeta Morska   |   Prepared by: Kamil Kusier   |   Print

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Most popular hybrid car brands in Poland

The leading brands among used hybrids are Toyota (44%), Audi (8%), Lexus (6%), BMW (5%), and Mercedes (5%). Toyota also ranks high among all used cars, holding fourth place (7%) after Volkswagen (12%), Opel (9%), and Ford (7%).

How are used cars transported by sea?

Imported used hybrids constitute only 13% of the total, meaning most originate from domestic distribution. In contrast, among all used cars, 59% are imports, primarily from Germany, France, or the USA. Vehicles from distant markets such as the USA or Japan are mainly transported via maritime shipping.

Methods of maritime vehicle transport

Used cars can be shipped by sea through several methods:

• Container shipping – The vehicle is placed inside a standard 20- or 40-foot container, offering protection against weather and theft. The cost of shipping from the USA to Europe ranges from $1,000 to $3,000, depending on the departure and destination ports.
• Ro-Ro (roll-on/roll-off) transport – Vehicles are driven onto a specialized ship and secured on deck. This option is cheaper, costing between $700 and $1,500, but carries higher risks of damage or theft.
• Mixed transport – Combining sea transport with road or rail transport to flexibly deliver the vehicle to its final destination.

Costs and legal procedures for importing a car into Poland

To legally import a used hybrid vehicle into Poland, customs clearance and associated fees must be settled. When importing from the USA, the following charges apply:

• Customs duty – 10% of the vehicle’s value.
• VAT – 23% in Poland or 19% in Germany (if cleared through customs there).
• Excise tax – 1.55% for hybrids with an engine capacity up to 2 liters and 9.3% for larger engines.

The total cost of importing a hybrid from the USA to Poland typically amounts to 15–30% of the car’s value, depending on its class and the chosen transport method.

Is it worth buying a used hybrid?

CARFAX analysis indicates that used hybrid cars carry significantly lower purchasing risks than the overall market. About 33% of used hybrids have recorded damage in their history, compared to 39% of all vehicles. A more striking difference is seen in cases of mileage discrepancies or odometer fraud, which occur in 41% of hybrid histories compared to 77% for all used cars.

Hybrids and the future of electromobility in Poland

Hybrids currently make up 3% of the Polish used car market, equating to 770,000 units, whereas used electric vehicles represent only 0.3%. Interest in hybrids is driven by their economic advantages, lower carbon footprint, and higher reliability.

Robert Lewandowski, business development manager at CARFAX Poland, highlights the benefits of hybrids in the Polish context:

- Electric cars are heavily promoted, including through subsidy programs in various countries, Poland included. However, in my opinion, they are not yet the optimal solution for Polish drivers—at least not at the current stage of technological and infrastructure development. Particularly in Poland, the eco-friendly argument weakens, as most of our energy still comes from fossil fuels. Therefore, hybrid powertrains appear to be the most effective option, efficiently utilizing the energy mix while ensuring the expected level of mobility and operating costs.

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