Spread the love

CONSUMERS are spending longer searching for their next used car and are visiting more online search platforms than they did before the pandemic, according to eBay Motors Group.

These are among the key findings from their 2021 Digital Touchpoints Survey, which polled the views of 2,000 buyers in June and compared them with the last survey conducted before the pandemic in October 2019.

With used cars in high demand, buyers are currently spending an average of six weeks (42.1 days) searching online for their next purchase, up from 40.5 days in 2019.

A significant majority of buyers (91.5%) continue to use at least two car search websites, a rising trend since 2019. While those using just one website dropped from 11.4% to 8.5%.

The average used car buyer uses 3.5 car search websites during their car buying journey. This average rises for new buyers, who visit four sites, and those buying nearly new cars at 3.7 sites.

The increase in using multiple platforms was across the board with 69% using three or more, 42% using four or more and nearly a quarter (22%) using over five.

The most frequently cited reason for using multiple sites was to check to see if a car was being advertised at the best possible price. This increased to 87% of buyers, compared to 80% in 2019.

Other reasons included the need to have as much information as possible on which model to buy (86%) and to ensure a wide choice of available cars were being viewed in a specific search area (83.5%).

Dermot Kelleher, head of marketing and research at eBay Motors Group, said: “Our research identifies just how important it is for buyers to be able to check the price consistency of the model they want to purchase – seeing the same car listed on multiple platforms is providing that reassurance.”

Got a spare 30 seconds?

 Help us to provide you with better market insight by completing a very short survey. It is anonymous and only takes 30 seconds. You will get free access to the quarterly results.

Thinking of the switch to electric?

Need help in finding the right electric vehicle for you? Compare driving range, battery capacity, charging time, price, and features to find the perfect EV for you.