Young buyers leading charge in buying pre-used cars sales: Report

Millennials are leading the charge when it comes to buying pre-owned vehicles in the country, according to research report by online used car brand CARS24.

The company has collaborated with leading research firm IPSOS to come out with the report which focuses on the used car buyer trends and top category drivers.

The study highlights the most-compelling consumer trends and statistics with respect to the Indian used car industry.

Young buyers, who account for 80 per cent of buyers' base, are helping feed the growing field of app and web-based channels, the report stated.

The rise in new-vehicle prices and lifestyle changes due to the pandemic as well as emergence of online players are the major factors contributing to this shift, it added.

While the majority of buyers are young males, there has been an uptake in the number of women used car buyers, the report said.

From an industry average of 10 per cent last year, the number has increased by 50 per cent; and is likely to further amplify in the near future, it added.

The report also highlights that among used car buyers, the most-preferred body type is hatchbacks (43 per cent willing to buy) followed by SUVs (26 per cent willing to buy). Additionally, the demand for petrol engines is also high among buyers, as per the findings of the research report. Besides, the condition of the car remains the most important factor for the buyer.

Recently, the company announced the launch of seven company-owned refurbishment centres this year in India. The centres will be set up across Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Pune.

Currently, CARS24 is the market leader in the online used car segment with over 90 per cent market share, and has clocked over four lakh transactions to date.