October 2013
Purchasing from a “reputable retailer” is the number one factor for used car buyers, according to a new survey.
Conducted for the RAC Dealer Network and its aftersales partner Assurant, the research shows seller trustworthiness named by 62% of respondents — an increase from 59% in 2023 and 55% in 2021.
In second place is the manufacturer and model of the car, chosen by 54% now, compared to 55% in 2023 and 49% in 2021.
Lee Coomber, RAC client director at Assurant, said: “These results indicate buyers are primarily and increasingly concerned about the credibility of the seller and the car on offer.
“One of the internet’s lasting effects on retail has been the ability to use online reviews to easily check on the customer experience provided by businesses. Having a good rating is becoming crucial when people are searching for a used car.
Respondents are also keen the seller should be in a local or easy to reach location (45% 2025, 50% in 2023 and 44% in 2021).
Finally, those surveyed would like dealers to conform to Chartered Trading Standards Institute or similar programme (37% 2025, 35% in 2023 and 33% in 2021), want breakdown cover (36% 2025, 36% in 2023 and 39% in 2021) and value the option to buy products such as extended warranties at the point of sale (31% 2025, 27% in 2023 and 25% in 2021).
The research was carried out for the RAC Dealer Network and Assurant by Toluna Harris Interactive, questioning 800 UK adults who own a car and are looking to purchase another within the next three years.
The RAC Dealer Network is the exclusive retailer of RAC Warranty products and numbers more than 1,200 used vehicle retailers across the UK, including independents, franchises and car supermarkets.
