Three-year-old used cars have become more expensive by almost a third within a year. In April, a typical three-year-old petrol engine was 30.1 percent more expensive when bought in a car dealership than a comparable vehicle a year earlier, according to an analysis by market observer DAT. On average, 27,900 euros were due for the vehicle. Diesel even increased in price by 31.8 percent to an average of 28,960 euros. The figures refer to three-year used vehicles across all segments and brands.
The driver of the price increase is primarily a low supply of vehicles as a result of corona, chip crisis and lack of parts. In addition, however, the new list prices of the vehicles three years ago had risen by around 7 percent.
According to DAT, the significant price increase for used vehicles does not only affect three-year-old vehicles. “When supply is scarce and demand is high, older vehicles are also in high demand,” said a spokesman. In addition, older vehicles with higher mileage would no longer be “punished” in terms of price as they used to be. It is noticeable that buyers of used diesel are willing to pay significantly more.
In the meantime, however, DAT sees prices stabilizing. “At least they’re not going up any further,” the spokesman said.