Used car sales remained fairly stable last year, while the new car market slumped due to chip shortages at car manufacturers. According to the car industry organization BOVAG, a total of more than 2 million used cars changed hands. That was 0,9 percent less than in 2020, but more than in 2019.
Especially Volkswagen models Golf and Polo were popular as second-hand cars. This also applied to the Opel Corsa, which was in third place of most sold used cars. In addition to cars from Volkswagen and Opel, Peugeots generally did well on the second-hand market.
It recently emerged that more than 9 percent less sales of new cars were sold last year. Due to the chip shortages, car manufacturers were able to produce far fewer cars and delivery was delayed. This problem also played a major role in electric cars, which now account for about a fifth of the new passenger car market.
The sale of used cars, which are much cheaper in price, is actually always significantly higher than the sale of new cars. BOVAG has noticed that people are increasingly looking for used cars at a car company, rather than at another private individual.
Used car sales by car companies to private individuals rose nearly 4 percent last year to more than 1,3 million. Between private individuals, sales fell by about 9 percent to 674.251 cars.
BOVAG thinks that the proportions are this way because many private individuals would like to have more certainty when purchasing a second-hand car. But what may also play a role is that due to a lack of suitable used cars in the Netherlands, these cars are increasingly being bought from abroad. It is therefore obvious that private individuals quickly turn to professional sellers. Then they also have a place in their own country where they can seek redress in the event of a defect or other warranty issue.
