New or used car, 5 things you need to know

A brand-new car straight from the showroom, carefully configured, packed with the latest technology and in exactly the color you wanted, it's a dream for many people. At the same time, there's a large group of used-car fans who see buying new as simply "pouring money down the drain." The argument most often raised by supporters of new cars is the uncertainty that comes with older vehicles, the looming threat of a potentially costly breakdown. Supporters of used cars, on the other hand, can't get over losing value measured in thousands, if not tens of thousands of PLN on pricier models, the moment you proverbially drive off the lot. Especially since that drop in value grows significantly over the first 1–2 years of ownership. The topic is more complex than it seems, though, so we want to walk you through a few areas that matter but may not be obvious to a buyer right away.

You can get a used car with a warranty too

The first worry about buying a used car, the fear of buying "a pig in a poke" and exposing yourself to high costs, is valid, but only when it comes to older used cars. Younger cars (1–3 years old) can come with the manufacturer's factory warranty or an extended warranty identical to the manufacturer's. At CarMore, for example, every subscription car has the "warranty" option included in the monthly price. This lets you enjoy the car completely stress-free, almost exactly as you would with the warranty on a new car.

You can get a used car with convenient financing too

We usually associate buying a used car with having to hand over a large amount of cash, without access to the convenient financing options available for new cars, such as leasing. It's true that getting convenient financing for a used car is harder, but it's not the rule. At CarMore, we provide full financing for your young used car, so you can enjoy a single low subscription payment.

The running costs of a new and an older car are very similar, and a used car can even be cheaper to run

Broadly speaking, whether you drive a new or a used car day to day, you'll face very similar costs for inspections, filter and oil changes, and insurance. On top of that, with newer cars, which have to comply with constantly changing regulations, e.g. from the European Union, the cost of replacing modern but complex service parts can come as an unpleasant surprise. Not to mention that comprehensive (AC) insurance on a new car is higher because of the car's higher value.

What's more, by choosing service packages you can completely eliminate the unpredictability of servicing a used car. At CarMore, two service options are available. The first, "Basic Service," covers filter and fluid replacements during scheduled inspections, including labor. To avoid any surprises at all, you can also choose the "Full Service" package, which covers the replacement of all wear-and-tear parts.

You'll get a used car "right away"; for a new car you may wait several months

When you buy a used car, the time between spotting the listing and holding the keys in your hand is usually just a few days. For someone buying a new car configured to their liking, that time stretches to several months. On top of that, new-car production is sensitive to swings in the global economy, the current coronavirus pandemic alone can push the wait for a car straight from the factory back by several more months.

A young used car is often the same model that's available brand-new at the dealer

A single generation of a model is usually on the market for about 5 years (leaving aside periodic cosmetic changes, so-called facelifts). So when you buy a 2–3-year-old used car, you're very often buying the same construction and the same technology you'd get by buying a brand-new car at the showroom, just several dozen percent cheaper.

Summary

Choosing a car is often a big deal where emotions can take over, along with the urge to own, say, a brand-new model, a car that has only just hit the market. These are extreme cases. In most situations, in our view, the conclusion is clear. If you're thinking about a 1–3-year-old used car, choosing one from a trusted source, from a dealer, e.g. through the CarMore platform, is the more sensible option than choosing a new car.