Twice as many people buy a car ‘unseen’ since pandemic

The number of car buyers who have bought a used car without seeing it first has doubled since the Coronavirus pandemic.

Data from AA Cars reveals that one in five (21%) buyers bought a car unseen in 2022, compared with just one in ten (10%) in 2021.

The latest survey also shows 6% of drivers have not bought a car unseen, but would be willing to in the future. However, a sizable proportion (73%) say they would never buy a car without first seeing it in person. 

Mark Oakley, director of AA Cars, said: “Car-buying was a very different experience during the pandemic, with many drivers buying a car unseen for the first time. Though lockdown restrictions are now firmly in the rear-view mirror, people’s purchasing habits have continued to evolve.

“With drivers keen to secure the best deal possible on their next used car, the ability to search and purchase from dealerships all over the country can be highly beneficial as prices can vary from region to region. Being able to purchase from further afield can, and does, help people save money.

“It’s clear, however, that there need to be reassurances in place before people part with their money, especially when they haven’t seen the car in person before. 

“The offer of a warranty, and knowing a car can be returned if something did go wrong, or buying through a dealership where vehicles have been independently inspected, will give buyers more confidence and can help dealers secure a sale.”

Many car dealerships diversified during the pandemic by offering click and collect and remote viewings to allow drivers to continue to purchase cars while observing lockdown restrictions. Most dealerships have continued to offer click and collect or delivery options, as it enables them to sell to people all across the UK. 

Reassurance that a car comes with a warranty is the factor most likely to make a driver willing to buy a car unseen, with nearly three in five (57%) saying this would make them more confident about a remote purchase. 

Almost a third (32%) of drivers said they would feel more confident about buying a car unseen if they knew it would be easy to return if they ran into any problems. Similarly, 30% would buy remotely if they had bought from the dealership or platform before. A quarter (28%) said having a detailed vehicle inspection provided by the dealership or platform would make them feel more confident about purchasing a vehicle in this way. 

Research from NTT Data UK&I found the number of people planning to buy their next car entirely online has fallen to just 4% in recent weeks, as buying habits shift back towards the traditional showroom model.

In its latest weekly survey, equally, 4.2% of 873 in-market consumers told What Car? they expect to buy their next car entirely online, with delivery to their home address. This is down from 9.7% in June 2022, when What Car? last asked the same question.