In Germany, cars are more than just a way to get around, they’re a piece of culture. From autobahns without speed limits to global car giants like BMW, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi, vehicles are woven into everyday life. When it comes to buying or selling a car, AutoScout24 has become one of the first places people turn.

Founded in 1998, AutoScout24 has grown into one of Europe’s largest digital car marketplaces, active in more than 18 countries. In Germany, it stands neck-and-neck with its main rival, Mobile.de, and for many, the two are used interchangeably when car shopping. Once you get your driving license in Germany and searching for where to buy a car, AutoScout24 stands as one of the top options.

As of 2025, AutoScout24 lists more than 2.5 million vehicles across Europe at any given time, including used cars, new cars, motorcycles, vans, and even some niche vehicles. For German buyers and sellers, it has become something of a default tool, whether you’re buying your first car as an expat in Berlin or selling your old Audi before upgrading.

1. How AutoScout24 Works

At its core, AutoScout24 is a classifieds marketplace designed specifically for vehicles. Buyers can browse listings by brand, price range, mileage, location, and countless other filters. Sellers whether private individuals or professional dealerships can list vehicles with photos, descriptions, and pricing.

Buyers: Create an account, save searches, and contact sellers directly through the platform.
Sellers: Pay a listing fee (or choose premium packages) to make their cars visible to millions of potential buyers.
Dealers: Use specialized accounts that allow bulk listings and inventory management.

It’s a fairly straightforward process, but AutoScout24 has layered on features to help with transparency, trust, and convenience.

2. Key Features That Set It Apart

a) Advanced Filtering System

Want a 2018 VW Golf, less than 80,000 km, under €15,000, within 50 km of Munich? AutoScout24’s filters make it possible to narrow things down with precision.

b) Vehicle History Checks

AutoScout24 partners with services like carVertical to offer buyers history reports, covering things like accident records, mileage fraud, and previous ownership. This adds an extra layer of trust in a market where scams and hidden damages can be an issue.

c) Price Evaluation Tool

A standout feature is AutoScout24’s “Preisbewertung” (price evaluation). It shows whether a listed car is considered a good deal, fair deal, or overpriced compared to market averages. This helps both buyers avoid overpaying and sellers price competitively.

d) Financing and Insurance Options

Through partners, AutoScout24 integrates financing calculators and insurance offers. Buyers can check monthly payment estimates directly from listings making it easier to judge affordability without leaving the platform.

e) Dealer Ratings & Reviews

For those buying from professional sellers, AutoScout24 offers dealer ratings, allowing buyers to avoid shady dealerships and gravitate toward trusted businesses.

3. What Buyers Love and Where They Struggle

What Buyers Love

Huge Selection: With millions of listings across Europe, there’s something for nearly every budget and taste.
Transparency with Pricing: The price evaluation tool is one of the most popular features, it helps cut through the noise.
Ease of Use: Both the website and the mobile app are clean, user-friendly, and available in multiple languages (great for expats).

Where Buyers Struggle

Scams & Fake Listings: Like any marketplace, AutoScout24 isn’t immune to fraud. Fake sellers lure buyers with prices that are “too good to be true.”
Overlapping Listings: Some dealerships post the same car multiple times or flood the platform with inventory, making browsing repetitive.
Slow Seller Responses: Buyers often complain about contacting sellers and not receiving timely replies.

4. The Seller’s Perspective: Pros & Cons

Selling on AutoScout24 is generally straightforward, but there are both upsides and downsides.

Pros for Sellers

Wide Reach: Millions of monthly visitors, your car is instantly visible to a large audience.
Flexible Pricing Tools: Sellers can see market averages and adjust pricing accordingly.
Professional Seller Tools: Dealers can integrate AutoScout24 with their internal systems to manage inventory.

Cons for Sellers

Listing Fees: Unlike some platforms (e.g., eBay Kleinanzeigen), AutoScout24 charges fees, which can deter casual sellers.
Competitive Market: With so many listings, private sellers can feel overshadowed by big dealerships.
Scammers Target Sellers Too: Fake buyers sometimes pose as interested parties, so caution is required on both sides.

5. Comparisons with Competitors

AutoScout24 vs. Mobile.de

Mobile.de is the other giant in Germany’s car marketplace scene. It generally has slightly more listings than AutoScout24, but the user experience is similar. Many savvy buyers search both sites before making a decision.

AutoScout24 vs. eBay Kleinanzeigen (now “Kleinanzeigen.de”)

Kleinanzeigen.de is more of a general classifieds site, not specialized for cars. It’s free for private sellers but lacks the advanced pricing tools and dealer integration of AutoScout24.

AutoScout24 vs. Traditional Dealerships

Dealership websites are usually limited to one brand or local stock. AutoScout24 aggregates across dealerships, making it far more comprehensive.

6. Safety, Trust, and Scams: What You Need to Know

AutoScout24 invests heavily in fraud prevention, but the marketplace model means risks remain. Common scam types include:

Suspiciously Cheap Cars: Sellers asking for deposits via Western Union or PayPal before you even see the car.
Fake Dealer Profiles: Cloned listings from real dealerships posted under fraudulent accounts.
Odometer Rollback Cars: Some vehicles still slip through without accurate mileage data.

To counter this, AutoScout24 emphasizes:

Using the official messaging system
Meeting in safe, public locations
Running history checks before committing
Avoiding upfront payments to unknown sellers

For buyers and sellers alike, caution is key but with proper checks, transactions are generally safe.

7. Recent Developments & Future Trends

a) Sustainability Push

AutoScout24 has leaned into promoting electric and hybrid cars, highlighting them in search results and providing EV-specific tools like charging cost calculators.

b) AI-Powered Pricing

New AI-driven tools are being tested to give even more accurate price recommendations, helping sellers avoid underpricing while giving buyers confidence.

c) Integration with Digital Car Ownership

AutoScout24 has been experimenting with post-purchase services: digital car documents, reminders for inspections, and bundled insurance.

d) Expanding Beyond Germany

While already pan-European, AutoScout24 continues to invest in cross-border sales, which is increasingly relevant for Germany’s multicultural population.

8. Verdict: Is AutoScout24 Worth Using in 2025?

AutoScout24 remains one of the top two car marketplaces in Germany, and for good reason. It’s user-friendly, widely trusted, and packed with tools that make buying or selling a car less intimidating.

Best For:

Buyers who want a wide selection and pricing transparency
Sellers willing to pay for exposure to millions of potential buyers
Expats who need an English-friendly car marketplace

Not Ideal For:

Casual sellers who don’t want to pay listing fees
Buyers expecting scam-free perfection—caution is still necessary
Anyone who wants to avoid competing with dealer-heavy listings

Final Thoughts

In Germany, where cars are a central part of culture and lifestyle, AutoScout24 has earned its place as a household name. It isn’t flawless, fraud exists, and private sellers may feel dwarfed by large dealerships but as a tool for navigating Germany’s complex car market, it’s hard to beat.

If you’re serious about buying or selling a vehicle, AutoScout24 should be at the top of your list—ideally used alongside Mobile.de for the fullest picture of what’s out there.

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