What Is the Best Time to Buy Used Cars?

Shopping for used cars can be a lot more involved than shopping for new ones. Buyers must research models and their respective model years. Shoppers also need to consider how much time their next ride has already spent on the road.

Depreciation & Repair Costs

The minute you drive a brand-new vehicle off of the car lot, it begins a slow decline in both quality and value. This process is known as “depreciation,” and it occurs to certain kinds of investments like vehicles, buildings, or expensive equipment.

In the case of new vehicles, depreciation can claim as much as thirty percent of a car’s value within its first three years on the road.

This depreciation can be beneficial to used car buyers, as it saves them money at the time of purchase. However, as the years drag on, the average costs of repairs for a used vehicle tend to rise. This rise in costs, paired with the overall decrease in value, can make older used cars a tough sell for buyers.

Best Age to Buy Used Cars

Due to the depreciation of value and rising maintenance costs, the ideal age to buy a used car is two to three years after its construction. This is the sweet spot of used cars, as they have depreciated enough in value to save buyers at the time of purchase yet haven’t begun to incur any costly repairs.

Stop by Woodhouse Nissan Bellevue today to check out the selection of used and certified pre-owned vehicles, and put your new knowledge to work. Make sure to check out our selection today before other buyers get the same idea!