Pollution tax makes second-hand cars more expensive

The up to threefold increase in the pollution tax for second-hand cars has made them more expensive on the Romanian market, car market players say.

"In January last year I bought a one-year old Opel Astra Classic for 5,700 euros. In November 2010 I sold the same car for 7,000 euros," said Elena Ionescu, an economist.

Considering that the car market was significantly influenced by the wave of second-hand cars originating from the fleets of leasing firms, their prices fell by up to half.

"Cars already registered in Romania will become more expensive, at least this would be a logical consequence, as fewer and fewer second-hand cars will be imported," said Nicolae Sorescu, head of the auto division of Rădăcini group. Sorescu said the number of cars to be sold unregistered would dwindle over the next few months given the pollution tax.

At present, for a Volkswagen Golf, a model boasting one of the highest volumes of second-hand imports, one pays a tax of nearly 2,800 euros, compared with 550 euros last year. Under the circumstances, cars already registered in Romania will become more expensive as competition from those brought from Germany will lessen.