Used Cars NI vs New Cars NI

Used Cars Northern Ireland

Used cars Northern Ireland wide are trending, with sales rising through the roof due to shortages that have halted the manufacturing of new cars. Some people don’t mind a used car, but for others, a new car, straight from the dealership, shiny, new car smell is a dream, a goal in fact. 

However, if you were to sit back and compare new cars to used cars, are they really worth it?

In many cases choosing a brand new car over one that has been well-maintained and advertised as a used model can result in you losing money.

Depreciation is the first factor that makes a used car potentially a better purchase than a new one. The rate at which a car’s value depreciates after it has been driven away in the UK is around one fifth of it’s value.

A graph of a car’s depreciation will resemble the ramp for a ski jump, excluding collectibles and exotic cars of course. In other words, it will begin with a dramatic decline, as the fastest rate of depreciation occurs in the first three years of practically every car on the market.

As the automobile gets older, the rate slows down, but by the time it reaches its third birthday, it’s usual for a car to be worth half of its original purchase price. So, if you can buy a car that is already on its way down, you’ll be able to lessen the impact on yourself.

However, as most cars get older, the news on depreciation improves, with the rate slowing down noticeably after three years. You’ll still have to deal with it, but you’ll almost certainly get back a bigger percentage of what you spent in the first place for a car that’s three years old or older.

Warranty

Depreciation and the exit from the safe guarded warranty stage of a car’s life cycle is a part of the process when buying a new car, but you should also keep in mind that as a car ages, it’s more prone to acquire flaws due to ordinary wear and tear.

If the car has been properly repaired and appropriately looked after, you may still be able to benefit from the remaining amount of an original manufacturer’s guarantee within the first few years, with some manufacturers, a lot longer.

In saying this, there are a lot of used car dealerships that collaborate with other firms that offer both statutory and extended used car warranties. 

We have built relationships with some of the best car dealers in Belfast and beyond, so if your decision for purchasing a used car or a new car comes down to the warranty factor, it isn’t as straightforward as just going for new.


Kia is a great example of a manufacturer offering a long warranty, they have upped the standard when it comes to new vehicle coverage, so if you locate a well-maintained used Kia, you may be eligible for the original manufacturer’s warranty against significant defects which means you are getting an even better deal. Less push on the pocket and reduced risk.

However, you should always inquire about any remaining warranty on any used car you’re considering, as this may be transferred to you, giving you vital coverage against mechanical issues without having to pay extra for an aftermarket warranty.

Production flaws

Production flaws in new cars are more common than you might think, with millions of cars being recalled every year in the UK. In new cars, you may fall into this category, but with used cars, these issues have most likely already been addressed or worked out of the system by the time it is two or three years old and that is one worry off your shoulders.

Used Cars: Price

Of course, a used car is almost always less expensive than a new one. So, if you have a limited budget, it’s simple to find vehicles that fit within it.

Keep in mind that you’ll almost certainly need to factor in the annual cost of car insurance as well as the keeping the car maintained and of course, fuelled.

You may drive a fantastic bargain if you go into the process of buying a used car with your eyes open, aware of the primary hazards that can be buried in even the most well-presented vehicle, and if you choose a dealership with a track record of working hard to generate satisfied return customers.

Our trusted used car dealerships Northern Ireland wide include:

Make your money go further with Carlover, reputable, trusted used cars, time and time again. The platform for searching and acquiring used cars NI can rely on.

David is one of the Co-founders at Carlover. He has an extensive background as a product designer & manager, spending the last 5 years leading teams in designing and building apps for multiple industries. He is a self confessed car fanatic and a lover of all things tech. When he's not working on the amazing set of Carlover products, you can usually find him working on his own cars!