Consyl Publishing & Publicity Ltd

Consyl Publishing & Publicity Ltd

Home > Our Publications > Australian Outlook> 2008> May

Used car buyers snub old bombs

AUSTRALIAN motorists buying a used car are prepared to spend more on newer, fuel efficient models, rather than on traditional cheap old bombs, according to new research by National Roads and Motorists' Association (NRMA) CarWise.
The analysis of car-buying trends of approximately 1000 Australian consumers using NRMA's CarWise website www.nrmacarwise.com.au found almost 45 per cent would spend AU$15,000 to AU$25,000 or more on a used car.
The research also found that two-thirds (64 per cent) looked to buy a car no more than five years old.
NRMA Board Director Wendy Machin said the data highlighted how trends and attitudes toward second-hand car buying had changed dramatically.
"Gone are the days of the used car market being dominated by people looking for a cheap deal," Ms Machin said.
"Environmental concerns are top of mind and price is no longer a primary motivator.
"Our research showed almost 45 per cent of women are buying greener, more fuel efficient cars with a fuel consumption of less than 9L/100km in the city, compared to 26 per cent of men.
"Buyers are more interested in value than savings - that means not buying a lemon that will cause them problems in the future.
"Since new cars are cheaper there is now more choice available on the second-hand market and buyers are snapping up the options."
The new research reveals only 9 per cent of consumers would spend less than $5000 on a used car, and overall 41 per cent of motorists seek vehicles with environmentally friendly fuel consumption - less than 9L/100km in the city.
The number of manufacturer recalls and common faults in a vehicle also concerned car buyers - 61 per cent of cars that were researched on the CarWise website had at least one manufacturer recall.
The new data also revealed that 59 per cent of motorists using the website to do a background check on a specific vehicle were male. The easy to use website hopes to encourage more women to make the most out of the CarWise service.
"We know that used car buying can be daunting - CarWise makes the process simple and stress-free by providing motorists with all the information they need to know - at their fingertips," Ms Machin said.
Other key statistics from NRMA CarWise include:

Nearly three out of four (71 per cent) seek a used vehicle with an inputted odometer reading of less than 90,000km
The most popular used model for women is the Toyota Corolla, the most popular for men is the Ford Falcon
One in four motorists were prepared to spend more than AU$20,000 on a used car

CarWise was launched by NRMA last year in response to growing consumer concern about being ripped off when buying a second hand vehicle.
The recently revamped CarWise website provides expert information, from simple tips to in-depth reports, to help Australians know what they are buying, and prevent them from buying debt-riddled, stolen or unsafe vehicles. It has been designed with female car buyers in mind.