At a car auction in the third quarter of 2026, a 2022 Ferrari Portofino sold for 6.56 million rubles. Analysts estimated the value of comparable cars on the secondary market at 20-24.5 million rubles. Even taking into account the recycling fee, the difference can reach 17.9 million rubles. However, such savings require careful calculation of all expenses and import conditions.
Ferrari almost three times cheaper than market price: how the auction went
Premium cars at auctions sometimes sell significantly cheaper than similar offers on the secondary market. One of the most illustrative examples of the third quarter of 2026 is a 2022 Ferrari Portofino, sold at the MIGTORG online auction for 6,557,100 rubles.
According to the site’s analysts, more than 100 participants competed for the lot. The car was described as being in like-new condition: without damage to the paintwork and transmission.
For comparison, comparable Ferrari Portofinos on the secondary market are valued at 20–24.5 million rubles. Thus, the difference between the auction price and the market benchmark is approximately 13.44–17.94 million rubles before additional expenses.
In percentage terms, this means that the lot price was approximately 67–73% below the stated market range. This is why such deals attract the attention of buyers considering premium cars.
How much does a Ferrari cost including the recycling fee
When assessing the benefit, it is important to consider not only the price the car was sold for. Importing a car to Russia may require additional payments, delivery, paperwork and other expenses.
According to MIGTORG analysts, the recycling fee for the car in question is 3.96-4.33 million rubles. If you add this amount to the final auction price, you get 10.52-10.89 million rubles.
Even after this calculation, the difference with the market benchmark of 20-24.5 million rubles remains significant – about 9.1-14 million rubles.
However, this is not the final cost of the car for the owner. Depending on the specific transaction, it is necessary to take into account logistics, site commission, customs duties, registration of an electronic vehicle passport, and possible costs of bringing the car into compliance with registration requirements.
Therefore, the declared savings of up to 17.9 million rubles should be considered as a preliminary comparison of the lot price with the market value, and not as a guaranteed profit or the final benefit for the buyer.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class: savings of more than a million rubles
Another notable result of the auction was a 2018 Mercedes-Benz E200 4MATIC. The car sold for 888,999 rubles.
Unlike the Ferrari, this lot cannot be called a car without significant reservations. The Mercedes had previously been used for car sharing, had 169,399 km on the odometer, and had some paintwork defects.
According to MIGTORG analysts, a comparable car in similar condition on the used market costs around 2 million rubles. This is a difference of approximately 1.11 million rubles, or 56% of the market benchmark.
In this case, the low price is explained not only by the auction format but also by the vehicle’s operating history. Car sharing vehicles may have increased stress on their components and assemblies, and high mileage increases the likelihood of maintenance and repair expenses.
Before purchasing such a Mercedes, it is especially important to check the service history, engine and transmission condition, suspension, body, and electronic systems. Without diagnostics, initial savings may be less than expected.
Why auction cars sell for less
Auction prices are determined differently than the price of a car at a regular dealership or in a private ad. Cars from corporate fleets and car-sharing services, damaged vehicles, and rare models that the seller needs to sell within a short time frame can be auctioned.
The buyer gets the opportunity to purchase a car cheaper than comparable offers, but also assumes some of the risks. In particular, he needs to evaluate:
- Technical condition. Even the absence of noticeable damage to the body does not guarantee the ideal condition of the engine, gearbox and electronics.
- Vehicle history. Information about accidents, repairs, mileage, previous owners and the nature of operation is important.
- Full purchase price. Commissions, delivery, taxes and fees, paperwork and repairs may be added to the auction price.
- Liquidity. A rare premium car can be expensive to maintain and sell longer than a mass-produced model.
You should be especially careful when buying cars, which are imported from abroad. Before participating in the auction, it is necessary to find out which fees apply specifically to a specific car, whether it can be registered for use in Russia, and whether there will be any obstacles with registration.
How can an increase in the recycling fee affect demand
According to Alexander Korotkov, CEO of MIGTORG, interest in premium cars at auctions traditionally remains high. He attributes this, among other things, to the liquidity of such cars on the secondary market and the expected increase in the costs of importing powerful cars.
Changes in the rules for calculating the recycling fee can affect the final economics of parallel imports. If mandatory payments increase, the buyer must include a larger amount in the budget, and the seller must take into account the new costs when setting the price.
At the same time, an increase in the recycling fee does not automatically mean an equal increase in the price of each car. The final price depends on the vehicle’s specifications, import procedures, applicable rates, and other transaction conditions. Changes in demand at auctions are also not guaranteed: they will depend on lot availability and buyers’ financial capabilities.
Is it worth buying a premium car at auction?
The history of the Ferrari Portofino shows how significant the difference can be between the price of an individual auction lot and the price of a similar car on the used market. However, for the buyer, it’s not the discount size per se that matters, but the final cost of ownership.
Before bidding, it’s wise to determine the maximum purchase price, separately calculate mandatory payments, logistics, and paperwork, and include a reserve for unforeseen expenses. For cars with high mileage or complex technical design, independent diagnostics are especially important.
Auctions can truly be a way to acquire a rare or expensive car on favorable terms. However, such a purchase brings the greatest benefit to those who evaluate not only the price on the trading screen, but also all the expenses that will arise after the completion of the transaction.
