20,000 shekel discount, with an asterisk: the fine print on zero-kilometer cars

An analysis of the zero-kilometer car market in Israel: In the first ten months of 2026, about 278,000 new cars were sold, of which about 18,000 were zero-kilometer vehicles. Discounts range from 8% to 24% off the list price, but the article warns of value loss, rapid lifecycle of Chinese models, and weather damage in lots.

Dubi Ben Gedalyahu's article examines the phenomenon of 'zero-kilometer' cars in the Israeli car market, analyzing the official data and the fine print behind the tempting discounts. In the first ten months of 2026, about 278,000 new cars were sold, of which about 18,000 were zero-kilometer vehicles registered under the importers' names after not being sold within a year of manufacture. The article presents examples of discounts ranging from 8% to 24% off the list price, and warns that the discount is not always worthwhile due to 'value loss' from the car's registration, the rapid lifecycle of Chinese models, weather damage in lots, and the possibility that the importer offers significant discounts on a new 'first-hand' car during periodic promotions.