The number of car dealerships in Northern Cyprus is rapidly increasing — authorities do not even know the exact figure

In Northern Cyprus, the problem of uncontrolled growth of car dealerships is becoming increasingly noticeable, reaching a scale comparable to the situation in the construction sector. Over the past two years, the number of car showrooms has risen sharply, while the lack of effective oversight and a unified registry raises serious concerns among both experts and industry representatives.

Additional alarm is caused by incidents involving the use of firearms linked to car dealerships, which have recently drawn public attention. This indicates that the issue has gone beyond purely commercial activity and now affects matters of security and public order.

Another worrying signal is the situation on the car market: a large number of vehicles that remain unsold and unchanged in ownership for months. According to specialists, such a picture may indicate the use of car dealerships in schemes to launder illegal income.

At the same time, the key problem is that the state does not have accurate data on the number of car dealerships in the country.

According to information published in July 2024 by Barış Yüce, chairman of the Association of Car Dealers and Importers (MASİB), there are about 700 registered car dealerships in Northern Cyprus. At the same time, he stated that at least the same number operate without official registration.

However, according to unofficial data shared by sector representatives with Cypriot media, the total number of car dealerships — both registered and illegal — may exceed 2,000.

Automotive market statistics indirectly support these estimates. On average, about 13,000 new cars are registered in the country each year, the total number of vehicles approached 450,000 by July 2025, and around 2,000 purchase-and-sale transactions are carried out monthly.

Experts warn that if the activities of car dealerships are not brought into the legal framework, the state will continue to lose significant tax revenues, while the rights of buyers and sellers will be at risk. The lack of effective oversight and gaps in legislation make urgent and comprehensive measures against illegal car dealerships necessary.

According to experts, this is no longer just an economic problem, but a systemic threat to security, consumer protection and public order.