Consumers are increasingly focusing on low-mileage, pre-owned vehicles with InspectaCar Finance reporting a 160% increase in applications from May 2020 when lockdown levels were first eased compared to August 2020. Applications have stabilised to normal levels with a -0.98% decrease, and the ratio of financing used to new vehicles currently stands at 2:1 according to TransUnion.
According
to Jason White, Joint Venture Head of InspectaCar Finance, the pandemic has
accelerated search by consumers for pre-owned vehicles.
“Despite the disruption, we see a large number of online users still intending to purchase their next vehicle within the next three or four months,” says White. “This can be attributed to the fact that interest rates are working in favour of the buyer, with prime currently at 7%.”
“Consumers are also taking advantage of a fixed rate option on their application rates. Although slightly higher than linked rates, a fixed rate option provides peace of mind motoring in the event interest rates increase. There has never been a better time to fix your vehicle instalment.”
According
to White certain ranges are getting a lot of attention, with LCVs attracting a
higher than normal activity rate.
Currently,
the top passenger brands for searches are VW in first position, followed by
Toyota, whilst in the LCV market Toyota leads the way followed by Ford and then
Nissan. Data from InspectaCar also suggests that there’s still a market for
pre-owned premium vehicles, based on searches from their customers’ online
engagement.
In
response to the strength of the pre-owned market InspectaCar has added to their
website the capability for privately-listed cars to be uploaded by consumers
and evaluated by InspectaCar dealers, under the “sell my car” functionality, a
tool that provides a fair market value of the seller’s vehicle provided that the quality of the vehicle is satisfactory.
This tool has already been used for more than 34
assessments in the past month, and whilst the functionality is still new, it is
yet to be put through its full capability.
“It is undoubtedly a good time to buy a car, particularly if a customer has reached their breakeven point. This is where the settlement is almost equal to the trade price of their vehicle. What with the current favourable low interest rates, low fuel costs and some excellent offers available, perhaps a more affordable, lower mileage and more economical vehicle is the way to go,” says White.
InspectaCar is the only second-hand vehicle franchise certified by
WesBank.
