Seeing is still believing for car buyers

About 10% of drivers have or would buy a used car without seeing it – although nearly half say they never would.

According to new data from AA Cars, eight per cent of drivers have bought, or have considered buying, a used car they have not seen in person during the pandemic. And of those drivers who have bought a car unseen during the pandemic, 84% said they would do so again.

Nevertheless, nearly half (47%) of drivers said they would never buy a used car without seeing it in person first.

It suggests that the ability to visit a forecourt remains important to many, and that dealers who offer a range of ways to buy will appeal to the widest range of buyers.

AA Cars surveyed almost 19,000 drivers to find out what would make them more likely to buy a second-hand car without seeing it in person first. Reassurance that a car has been inspected by a trusted company was the factor most likely to make a driver willing to buy a car unseen. No charge for returning a car if they decide to cancel was the second highest incentive, with clear information about their right to cancel third.

Meanwhile, 47% of drivers said knowing the dealer was associated with a trusted body would make them more likely to buy a car without seeing it in person first, and 45% said they would want a click and collect option where they could choose to cancel if they don’t like the car when they go to pick it up.

James Fairclough, CEO, said: “Dealerships were forced to innovate like never before during the pandemic, and many offered click and collect and home delivery services for the very first time. Our data shows this appears to have been a positive experience for an overwhelming majority of drivers, with more than 80% of them saying they would do the same again in the future, suggesting that dealerships would benefit from continuing to offer their new digital services once the pandemic ends.

“However, there remains a high number of drivers who say they would never buy a car without seeing it in person, indicating there is still enduring demand for forecourts that people can visit.”