The UK is a fantastic market for second hand cars. In fact, according to Auto Express the average age of a car here is 8.4 years. Additionally, almost a quarter of all vehicles on the road are from 2008 or earlier. There is a lot of demand for reliable older vehicles. This creates plenty of work for car brokers.
However, while there is interest, buying an older car is a little more challenging. There are more things to think about than with a new vehicle. We want to have a look at some of the major considerations below.
How old is too old?
People generally think that cars should last for around 200,000 miles depending on how well the owner’s look after them. Good maintenance could extend this to as much as 300,000 miles, especially with EVs. The RAC reported in 2022 that the average age of a vehicle when it is scrapped is 14 years. However, some vehicles can still be perfectly fine after 20 years of driving.
Safety features
One of the most important things to think about with older cars is the essential features to keep the driver and passengers safe. Many of the things we take for granted in modern vehicles are not always there in old models. For example, a car from the early to mid 2000s might not have stability controls, dual air bags, or emergency braking systems.
Driver aids
Most new vehicles will include parking cameras, either as standard or as an optional extra. However, you won’t find them on too many cars from the 2000s. They were a luxury option at that time, so generally only top end models have them.
Other features
Modern cars can also have a huge number of features to make vehicles more comfortable. This can include heated or ventilated seats, entertainment systems, and climate control. Many of these won’t be present in older vehicles, even some from the 2010s.
Parts
The biggest issue with older cars is it becomes harder to find parts. This makes it more challenging and much more expensive to have to replace key things. It is likely you won’t be able to find spares easily for vehicles over 20 years old. Many manufacturers simply won’t make them anymore.
Older luxury cars can be the most costly in terms of parts. These spares tend to be the rarest because there were fewer of the vehicles in the first place.
Reliability
Generally the decision on whether a used car is too old or not comes down to how reliable it is. Some models are known to have excellent reliability. So, you can buy older ones with more confidence. However, you will generally want to target younger cars if you want to ensure they will be reliable.
Speak to us for information on car brokers
Dealing with second hand cars is something that appeals to many people. Broking can be a really great opportunity to create your own business and start earning healthy commissions for deals you facilitate. It can require a relatively small initial fee to get started with our materials. You then have a business in a box and the freedom to set your own hours.
So, speak to Auto Car Brokers today or browse our website for more information. We’re always happy to advise if you’re interested.
