Budapest, October 30, 2025 — The Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH) has fined Használtautó.hu Kft. HUF 550 million (approximately $1.63 million) for abusing its dominant position through exclusionary practices on Hungary’s leading online vehicle advertising platform.
The sanction concerns conduct by Adevinta Classified Media Hungary Kft., the platform’s former Norwegian-owned operator, which allegedly used exclusive advertising packages to block car dealers from listing their ads on rival sites.
Exclusive Contracts Restricting Rival Platforms
In December 2021, GVH launched an investigation against Adevinta and found that the “exclusive package,” introduced in April 2018, prohibited business customers from advertising on competing platforms, effectively foreclosing market entry for rivals. At the same time, Adevinta allowed advertisers to repost listings automatically to its other classifieds site, Jófogás Autó, limiting the need for multi-platform use.
The authority found that Használtautó.hu held at least 70% market share during the period under review, giving it a dominant position in the Hungarian online car classifieds market. The exclusivity practice, coinciding with the emergence of several new competitors, was found capable of hindering rival growth and reinforcing dominance.
Prolonged Infringement, EU and National Breach
The GVH concluded that Adevinta unjustifiably restricted competition and violated both Hungarian and EU competition law by preventing new entrants and weakening competitive pressure. The infringement lasted several years and involved substantial revenues, factors reflected in the fine.
The fine was imposed on Használtautó.hu Kft., Adevinta’s legal successor, which has operated the site since autumn 2023. The authority noted as a mitigating factor that Adevinta had discontinued the exclusive package after proceedings began.
