-
Consumer demand for used cars is almost three
times greater than it was during lockdown restrictions last
spring, analysis of drivers’ search behaviour on AA Cars
reveals
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Searches are also 20% greater than this time
last year, before the pandemic started to affect the
UK
Searches
for used cars have soared higher than pre-pandemic levels despite
the lockdown, analysis of searches on AA Cars,
the AA’s used car website, has
revealed.
AA Cars saw demand rise steadily on its
website once lockdown restrictions eased last summer and this
interest has continued to surge. Searches remain 20% greater in
January than they were during the same month in 2020 — which was
before the pandemic started to affect the
UK[1].
Despite
lockdown, searches for used cars in January were almost three
times greater (185%) than during the first national lockdown last
April.
This
may be partly attributed to weather conditions, as people are
likely to have been more willing to walk or cycle during the warm
weather last spring, but more inclined to drive during a colder
and wetter January.
The
increased demand in used cars during this lockdown may also be
linked to the growing availability of click and collect and home
delivery services being offered by
dealerships.
While
there is increased demand for used cars at the moment, this is
expected to grow further after lockdown and once forecourts are
reopened, as drivers can once again see cars they are considering
purchasing in person.
James Fairclough, CEO of AA Cars
comments: “The winding down of the first
nationwide lockdown last summer prompted a spike in interest in
used cars, but demand has not tailed off, even as new
restrictions came into force at the start of
January.
“Forecourts
may be closed, but dealers are still finding ways to get cars to
buyers, either by offering a click and collect service or even
home delivery.
“This
sustained increase in searches is very encouraging for the
industry, and we expect to see this grow further after lockdown,
when people can visit forecourts
again.
“Throughout
the pandemic, some people swapped from commuting to work by train
or bus to using a car instead. It will be interesting to see
whether those habits continue this year now that people have
become more reliant on their
car.”
- ENDS -
Notes to editor
[1]Searches
on the AA Cars platform, comparing January 2020 with January
2021, and January 2021 with April
2020.
