Germany private sales January 2026: VW Golf sports rare lead

For once the VW Golf is the favourite of German private buyers in January.

Private sales account for just 30.2% of total German sales in January at 58,582 units, a steep -21.8% year-on-year fall. In January 2025 the private sales ratio (PSR) was 36.1% and 29.3% in January 2024. As a reminder this ratio was 33.9% over the Full Year 2025. A rare feat, the VW Golf is also the favourite of German private buyers this month with 25.3% PSR, it ranked #5 over the Full Year 2025. The Skoda Elroq surges to #2 at 46.7% PSR with last year’s leader the VW T-Roc (35.6% PSR) down to #3. Excellent performances of the Skoda Karoq (60% PSR), Mercedes GLA/EQA (56.9%) and Fiat Ducato (63.4%). The BMW X1 (33.3%) falls to #8 and the Dacia Sandero (80.7%) to #10.

Previous post: Germany private sales 2025: VW T-Roc, Fiat Ducato and BMW X1 dominate

One year ago: Germany private sales January 2025: VW Group places 9 models in Top 10

Full January 2026 Top 328 All models ranking below.