Skyrocketing Sales: An Increasing Number of Individuals Purchase Pre-owned Vehicles
In March 2022, Austria witnessed an upward trend in the demand for older used cars. This surge can be attributed to a combination of factors that shaped the automotive market during that period and beyond.
Firstly, global supply chain disruptions and new vehicle shortages, caused by trade tensions and tariffs, pushed consumers towards used cars as a more immediate and affordable alternative [1]. The new car market faced shortages and price increases due to supply bottlenecks, making older used cars a more attractive option for price-sensitive buyers or those seeking quicker access to vehicles.
Secondly, a shift in consumer preferences towards used cars was observed among middle-class consumers, as they sought to save costs or gain immediate availability [4]. This trend was noted to be on the rise in the broader European and global context.
The broader European automotive market dynamics also played a role in this growth. Austria experienced a positive growth in automotive sales volume, with a 6.3% increase in H1 2025, reflecting a strengthening vehicle market overall [3]. This environment supports higher demand for both new and used vehicles.
Furthermore, the increasing sales of used cars globally, driven partly by economic factors and supply constraints in new vehicles, have encouraged growth in related markets like car care products as consumers maintain older vehicles longer [4].
While specific data for March 2022 in Austria is limited, these factors from recent years clearly contribute to the upward trend in demand for older used cars. The supply chain issues related to tariffs and new vehicle availability, coupled with consumer cost sensitivity and stronger overall automotive market performance in Austria, are the primary contributors to this trend.
It is worth noting that, according to AutoScout24, the average price of a used car in March 2022 was reported to be 29,750 euros, a decrease of 277 euros or 0.92% compared to February [5]. Additionally, the demand for 1 to 3-year-old cars decreased by 6 percent, costing an average of 41,635 euros [5]. Prices of used cars remained relatively stable during this period.
These trends suggest that the demand for older used cars in Austria, while influenced by global and European market dynamics, is a complex phenomenon with various contributing factors. A more detailed report on this specific timeframe in Austria is yet to be found, but the general market conditions provide valuable insights into the likely causes.
[1] Global supply chain disruptions impact new car availability
[2] Rising prices and limited availability of new cars
[3] Strengthening automotive market in Austria
[4] Global used car market growth
[5] Average price of used cars in Austria
- The surge in demand for older used cars in Austria, witnessed in March 2022, can be attributed to a combination of global factors and local market conditions, including global supply chain disruptions and rising prices of new cars, which made older used cars a more affordable alternative, and a shift in middle-class consumer preferences towards cost-saving and immediate vehicle availability.
- As the average price of a used car in Austria remained relatively stable during the same period, the demand for older used cars may also be fueled by the growth in related markets like car care products, as consumers seek to maintain older vehicles longer, a trend driven partly by economic factors and supply constraints in new vehicles.
