Dealers avoid stocking high value used cars due to inflationary pressures reports Aston Barclay

The majority of dealers are continuing to only buy higher value used cars to order rather than for stock according to the latest Aston Barclay desirability index.

Eight out of the ten used cars in the March desirability index are higher value premium used cars with dealers protecting their cashflow by only bidding on these cars to fulfil sold orders.

And not surprisingly, when these used cars go under the hammer there is competition between buyers to secure a car for their customer which generally sees it selling for beyond market value.

“Since the fall in consumer confidence and rising inflation began in Q4 2022 together with inflated used car prices dealers have been more cautious about what used cars they stock to protect their cashflow,” explained Mark Hankey, Aston Barclay’s chief revenue officer.

“We expect this trend to continue until such time as the economy improves and dealer confidence returns to stock the bigger ticket vehicles,” he added.