If you have an extra car you are looking to sell or are thinking about trading in your current vehicle toward a newer one, then you may be in luck. Car dealerships are paying top dollar for used cars, potentially allowing you to get more money out of your vehicle. If you are wondering why prices are on the rise, here’s what you need to know.
The Impact of Chip Shortages
One of the driving forces behind rising car prices is the chip shortage. Chips are critical for many modern vehicle functions, including everything from built-in infotainment systems to power windows to cruise control.
Without enough chips, vehicle production can’t maintain its typical pace. They simply don’t have enough parts to complete the standard number of cars. As a result, the new vehicle market tightens.
While it may seem like a shift in the new car market wouldn’t impact how much you can get for your used vehicle, that isn’t the case. Any supply shortage impacts sellers.
Since dealerships have to scramble to keep enough inventory on their lot to attract shoppers, they are willing to pay more to get their hand on cars, including used ones. This works out in your favor, allowing you to secure a higher price when you sell your vehicle.
COVID-19 Supply Issues
In a similar vein, COVID-19-related production slowdowns also impacted inventory levels. During the pandemic, many manufacturers weren’t able to maintain normal production, at least for a time. In some cases, they had to shut down. In others, they had to make adjustments to accommodate social distancing, which could mean only operating at partial capacity.
In either of those cases, fewer cars were rolling off of the assembly line. Since the impact of the pandemic persisted for weeks, lower production rates continued for a notable period. In the end, a shortage ensued.
As mentioned above, new vehicle shortages do impact the used market. Car dealerships will pay top dollar to simply have cars to sell on the lot, making it a great situation for anyone looking to unload a vehicle they no longer need.
Post-COVID Landscape
During the pandemic, demand for vehicles fell dramatically. Many people transitioned to working from home, while others lost their positions, lowering their household income levels. Even overall economic uncertainty played a role, as many who kept their jobs may not have been confident that they wouldn’t lose them later.
Since vehicles are usually considered to be major purchases and working from home eliminates a commute, many people weren’t interested in buying cars during the height of the pandemic. However, as reopening activities continue to move forward and vaccine rollouts are increasingly available, the situation is changing.
Now, many people are preparing to return to their commute. Additionally, some who lost their positions have found something new, and fears about economic instability are declining. As a result, anyone who delayed buying a car is hopping into the market, causing a big shift in demand.
Whenever demand rises, dealerships need to increase their inventory levels accordingly. Without a decent inventory, they miss out on sales, so they are willing to pay more to boost the size of their used car lot.
New Car Pricing
Over the years, the cost of buying a new vehicle has largely risen. In early 2021, the average new light vehicle cost nearly $41,000, which is far more than some prospective car buyers can shoulder.
While used vehicle prices are also going up, they still tend to be lower than what you see when buying new. For budget-conscious households that need to secure a vehicle now, used car purchases are simply the better option, driving demand up.
Again, whenever demand rises, dealerships strive to adjust their inventory to ensure they can secure more sales. As a result, they pay top dollar to anyone looking to sell their car, allowing them to keep more vehicles in inventory and attract more buyers.
Are you thinking about taking advantage of the fact that car dealerships are paying top dollar for used cars? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Read More:
- Sell Junk Cars: Strange Ways to Make Money
- How We Became a Single Car Family
- How I Bought a Car for Cash
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Tamila McDonald is a U.S. Army veteran with 20 years of service, including five years as a military financial advisor. After retiring from the Army, she spent eight years as an AFCPE-certified personal financial advisor for wounded warriors and their families. Now she writes about personal finance and benefits programs for numerous financial websites.
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