What do used car buyers really want?

BCA has revealed used car customers really want as a swathe of part exchange cars hit forecourts. As the new car registrations hit the road on Saturday, there will be a load of used cars going onto dealer forecourts as the result of part-exchange deals.  

But what is it that used car buyers are looking for when buying from a dealer? British Car Auctions has revealed the findings of research into why used car buyers choose a particular dealer – with some interesting results.

As part of BCA’s Used Car Market Report research, used car buyers were asked to rank the 15 factors they believe are most important when choosing which dealer to buy from.

Not surprisingly, a whopping 50 per cent of used car buyers put ‘exactly the car wanted’ as their number one factor for choosing a particular dealer for their next used car.  

‘Our research suggests that used car buyers often know exactly what they want, with 50 per cent having an exact car in mind and therefore hunting down the dealer that has that make and model,’ confirmed BCA’s Tim Naylor. 

 ’Another important aspect of the car buying experience is the support provided by dealer staff.  Consumers placed friendly and professional staff as their fourth most important criteria when choosing a particular dealer.’

Second most important for motorists is ‘best price possible’ however the offer of low finance was placed 14th out of 15, with only three per cent suggested it was important to them.   

‘March will definitely be a great time for a wide range of choice, whether buying from a dealer or at auction,’  concluded Naylor. ’So buyers should make the most of the influx of used vehicles as March 1 as the new registration plates hit the road.’