Two-thirds of used car dealers (66%) believe there will be a high level of demand for used self-driving cars by the mid-2030s, according to April’s Startline Used Car Tracker which questioned 300 consumers and 61 dealers.
The survey found that 54% believe people will buy self-driving vehicles if they are proven to be safe while 36% have seen that manufacturers are planning to fit the technology to their cars soon.
Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline Motor Finance, said: “The first trials of autonomous taxis are already underway in London and the government’s plan is for the technology to be applied to more and more vehicles over time if testing is successful.
“This means it is perfectly feasible there will be at least some self-driving cars on the used market within a decade and we wanted to find out how dealers think this development will play out, especially examining how consumers will react.
“Our research reveals a high degree of positivity. Dealers forecast that if the technology is proven to be safe and delivers on its promise of less stressful driving and fewer accidents, then there will be a ready market.”
Autonomy will have a strong appeal for specific groups of motorists (30%), such as high mileage drivers, while 28% expect less stressful, safer driving.
However, 21% predict it will take a long time for people to trust the technology, 11% are convinced that people will still want to drive and 10% say there is not much demand for existing autonomous capabilities on used cars.
When asked if they would be willing to pay a premium for self-driving, including a regular subscription cost, 80% said they would.
Burgess said: “It’s likely that at least some manufacturers will want to offer their autonomous technology on a subscription basis to generate a regular revenue stream.
“It’s notable that a high percentage of dealers believe motorists will be willing to pay.”
