If you are considering changing cars or buying a new one, you have probably found yourself wondering which car to buy. Market saturation and uncertainty about long-term mobility means that buying a new car is not a viable option for some drivers.
In this article, we compare three different purchase options for you to see which one best suits your situation, circumstances and needs: new, used or pre-owned car. What's the difference? We'll tell you!
New, used or pre-owned car: What does this mean?
Let’s start by explaining what each of these words mean in order to know how they are different.
- New: All cars that are sold at a dealership and are not yet registered, but are registered at the time of purchase.
- Used: This term is used to refer to cars that have already been used by at least one previous owner. And they generally have higher levels of wear and tear. What’s more, unlike pre-owned vehicles, used cars are usually sold directly through the previous owners, although they can also be taken to dealers where they are reconditioned and sold as used cars.
- Pre-owned: Pre-owned cars are those with very little previous use, usually less than 30,000 kilometres (≈20,000 miles) and under two years old. In addition, these cars are usually offered by dealers or large fleets, who are almost always the ones to have used them previously.
Main differences between new, used and pre-owned cars
Now that we have nailed down the meaning of each term, let's analyse the most important differences between these three options. This will allow you to identify which one best fits your preferences.
Age
One of the key differences is the age of the vehicle. While new cars are practically fresh from the factory, used cars have had several years of use already. As for pre-owned cars, they have typically had no more than two years of use. Used cars, on the other hand, can vary in age, but are almost always older than that.
Mileage
The three options also differ in the number of miles travelled at the time of sale. New cars are sold with 0 miles on the clock, as they have not been used before.
Pre-owned cars have normally done less than 20,000 miles, since, although they have been used previously, it has only been for a short period of time. Used cars, on the other hand, have almost always done more than 20,000 miles. In fact, it is common to see used cars that have done more than 100,000 kilometres (≈60,000 miles) being sold after several years of use.
Maintenance and warranty
When buying a car, knowing what warranty is available and having an approximate idea about its maintenance is something that conditions the decision. New cars have the longest warranty period, as established by the manufacturer, because they have not been used. In addition, not a great deal of maintenance is required, as all parts are new.
There is also a warranty period in the case of pre-owned cars. This may vary depending on the dealer or fleet selling it, although it is usually somewhere around 2 or 3 years. From a maintenance perspective, the vehicles are sold with little use and, generally, after having been used by professionals, do not usually require a great deal of maintenance at the outset.
For used cars, the warranty is in accordance with the law. And, as far as maintenance is concerned, these vehicles may require more work, since their parts may be more worn out.
Price
The final key difference is price, which is influenced by all of the above factors. Used cars are the most economical, since they have the most wear and tear. Pre-owned cars, on the other hand, can be up to 40% cheaper than the cost of a new car of the same model, and in almost-new condition, with new cars obviously being the most expensive.
Which car suits you best?
At this point, the decision on which car to choose depends on your particular circumstances. New cars are the least accessible option nowadays, purely because of their price. On the other hand, many people find used cars to be less trustworthy, as they are looking for a car in good condition.
Therefore, opting for a pre-owned car is something more and more people are turning to, as it is a way to enjoy a practically new car for a more economical price. At OK Mobility we have a wide variety of cars that, after a year in our fleet, are ready to become your ideal car. We can help you choose the right one for you!
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