With a mature market, there are numerous channels of both online and offline to locate used cars for sale in China. Last year, more than 17 million used cars were sold in China, up by about 15% from the previous year. It shows that consumers are becoming increasingly comfortable with buying used cars, due to the combination of low prices, many choices and trustworthy online platforms.
Car platforms are the most accessible way to find used cars in China via internet. But already there are a number of websites just like Autohome and Che168, two that rule the market with extremely deep listings chocked full of detail on vehicle specs down to mileage alongside pricing as well as even the status associated with any given car. For example, Autohome offers over 300,000 used car listings that can be searched by brand (over a hundred), model series (well into the thousands) and year range. Che168 on the other hand has a deeper emphasis on certified pre-owned vehicles under warranty which means it is offering cars that have passed stringent inspection and quality checks. Last but not least, they allow buyers to browse multiple cars side-by-side, research user reviews and in some cases even book a test drive with the dealerships - all from their homes.
Other than that, if you are an international buyer hunting for used cars in China then next to a platform like Autocango, which aids enthusiasts around the world with buying second-hand vehicles from the country. Autocango has extensive listings that feature quality images, detailed vehicle descriptions and inspection reports. But this platform also covers the complete logistics of exporting vehicles (shipping, customs clearance and documentation) which should make it an interesting alternative for buyers in regions outside China.
Another key part of the used car market is traditional dealerships and big markets for second hand cars. Thousands of vehicles are on offer across an extensive array of used car markets...primarily in cities like Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou. The Xiangjiang Used Car Market in Guangzhou is one of the largest used car markets in China and has brands from all over. If buyers want to see a car in person before parting with their hard-earned cash, they can head down there with the opportunity typically being given for potential purchasers of taking them out on a test-drive. Having vendors on hand to deal directly with people means the purchasers will often walk away much better priced, particularly when those buyers are skilled in these transactions.
How much for a second-hand Mini in China? Currently, the average price of used cars on Chinese auto verticals sits at ¥40,000 to ¥150,000 according to brand classification and popular demand. The best value falls in the three-to-five-year-old range; that way, price and reliability are balanced. By way of example, a 2017 Toyota Corolla with about 60 km on the clock for around ¥70k (a fairly good deal versus new). Value drops off steeply for Chinese cars in the first few years, making models just a couple of years older that little bit more affordable and potentially attractive to penny-pinching buyers.
Government policies aimed at stimulating second-hand car sales also help support the used car market in China. Inter-regional sales restrictions were loosened in the past couple of years, and vehicles can now more freely be transferred between different interstates. Of course, this has bolstered the used-car supply and introduced more aggressive pricing. This helped deliver a 20% boost in cross-regional transactions last year, as outlined by data from the China Automobile Dealers Association (CADA).
And buyers will now when to expect promotions which often result in getting better deals. Chinese New Year and major shopping festivals such as Singles Day (November 11) are two periods where discounts become popular: dealerships will have to provide bonus packages, while online platforms might offer some sort of incentive to clear out their inventory. Prices in general drop by 10% to 20% during these times, making them a good buying opportunity.
So in sum, discover where to find used cars for sale at online platforms and real locations as well as how seasonal promotions advantage you. Concerning the mass of Chinese used cars, buyers can simply reference vehicle age and condition to choose which ones might be good used car options for them based on how much they are willing to pay.