Car-Buying Habits Change as New Technology Unfolds

According to recent data from automotive data and valuations expert, HPI, a significant number of motorists between the age of 25 and 34 are more willing to purchase a vehicle through an app than any other age group.

Of the 25- to 34-year-old’s surveyed, a mere 19 per cent said that they wouldn’t consider purchasing a new car through an app and 26 per cent said they wouldn’t buy a used car using this method.

Altogether, the survey saw more than 1000 motorists polled and on average, half of them were female, and half were male drivers. From the survey, HPI found that almost three-quarters (71 per cent) of those aged 65 said that they would never consider buying a new car online, and in terms of whether they would purchase a used car this way, the statistics were higher still at 76 per cent of people aged 65.

Generally, HPI found that the main reason why buying vehicles online proved so unpopular with some participants, was due to car-buyers wanting to carefully inspect and observe their vehicle before going through with the payment, while the second biggest reason was through fear of being overcharged as a result of buying this way.

Statistically, nearly 1 in 5 of those who completed the survey said that they would never buy any product online, with 1 in 6 of the participants confirming that they were uncomfortable with how their personal data may be used after buying a product online or through an app. Through the research, HPI found that over one third of those who would not consider buying a used car on the internet admitted that it was down to a lack of customer security if issues were to arise.

The data also uncovered that men would be more likely to make a vehicle purchase through a mobile application than women.

At least 13 per cent of the survey partakers had bought a new or second-hand vehicle online already without looking at it beforehand, and while almost two thirds of these had no concerns about doing so, over one third went ahead with the purchase despite the fact that they had doubts about it.

Consumer Expert at HPI, Fernando Garcia said, “Virtually all car manufacturers have an approved used scheme in place that allows consumers to buy a used car with a long warranty, often providing the same peace of mind as when purchasing a new car.”

He further added that, “The faith in these schemes is illustrated by the responses we canvassed in our research. Of those who would buy a car without trying it first, the majority would feel the most comfortable if the app was created by an official dealer or a car manufacturer. If the app was developed by a third-party company, that peace of mind was much less evident amongst consumers.”

For more information about our own vehicle retailing platform, ClickEngage™,  which allows your customers to reserve online, get in touch with Click Dealer today via marketing@clickdealer.co.uk  or  01782 454354. Alternatively, you can send us a message through our contact page.