You might reasonably assume that with the continued proliferation of online-only and digital-everything approaches when it comes to commerce, when it comes to buying a used car, maybe folks would rather do everything through the Internet. However, in reality, the opposite is true! Even with the power of the web, it seems like most consumers still prefer buying used vehicles face-to-face. Personally, that’s not entirely surprising given how I like buying my cars, but it’s still pretty interesting to check out just how many UK drivers prefer buying a car in person. All this data comes courtesy of the UK’s leading aftermarket car warranty provider, Warrantywise.
In partnership with OnePoll, Warrantywise has found that 7 in 10 drivers in the UK – or, more specifically, 69% – prefer in-person transactions when buying used vehicles. I guess this goes to show just how far trust, transparency, and personal interaction between the buyer and seller matters. Moreover, I’m sure that most of you, just like me, want to physically inspect a used car before dropping that much cash on one! On the other hand, according to the same surveys by Warrantywise and OnePoll, they found that just 8% of drivers, out of 2,000 people surveyed, were confident with completing the entire used car purchase process entirely online.
Is Online-Only And Digitisation Really The Future?
Again, given how I normally approach buying a used car, it’s not a shock. There are plenty of consumers who are wary and hesitant about making high-value purchases like this without a face-to-face interaction. Sometimes, that assurance and being able to know the seller in person is the deciding factor. Meanwhile, between those two opposing forces, the surveys also found that 17% of UK drivers favour a hybrid approach… With a double-whammy of doing all your research online, and then making the inspection and purchase in person. This ought to show how consequential digital platforms are as a starting point for one’s car-buying journey.
In summary, we now know that the used car market isn’t ready for a digital transformation, unlike other retail sectors. Even during Black Friday, when commerce as a whole is bursting at the seams, particularly with online shopping, significant financial commitments like buying a car haven’t seen the same momentum. If there’s one key takeaway from this, dealerships could learn and adapt to leverage this data to create a hybrid car-buying experience. Optimising their online presence to attract people like me who like doing research and window shopping on the web might actually translate to more folks visiting their showrooms in person!
The Peace Of Mind That Extended Warranties Could Offer
Of course, on the flip side, this also means that dealerships shouldn’t skimp on their physical, in-person experiences too, raising their chances to close the deal. Warrantywise and OnePoll have also suggested that dealerships should invest in omnichannel sales strategies. In short, this ensures that dealerships can cater to both traditional buyers who prefer buying a used car in person, as well as those folks who are more inclined toward online and digital convenience. Nevertheless, Warrantywise still believes that over time, those 8% of consumers (of UK drivers who are comfortable with buying a used car fully online) could absolutely grow over time.
Either way, whether you’re buying a car online or visiting a dealership in person, you could definitely add a bit more peace of mind to your purchase. Purchasing an aftermarket extended warranty for your car, including the many cover plans that Warrantywise offers, could help to cover potential repair costs. On top of that, they could be utilised at any VAT-registered local garage, further expanding this safety net over your used car purchase, if and when something inevitably breaks down. Through Warrantywise, you have the flexibility to pick the right plan tailored just for you, and with clear-cut terms and conditions, it would certainly be worth considering!
