Time to buy 2nd hand?

[d000hg]

Record UK car registrations in March - BBC News

Stands to reason there is an influx of 2nd-hand cars as people rush to beat the VED changes... time to get a great deal as dealers need to move stock?

[WTFH]

...or the opposite. With the hike in VED, people will be more inclined to buy second hand, thus driving up the prices.

[Mordac]

...or the opposite. With the hike in VED, people will be more inclined to buy second hand, thus driving up the prices.

Especially in the over £40k range. Having said that, there will need to be some inducements to get people to buy new, particularly for those who'll have to pay £2000 car tax. A 6 month old Range Rooney is suddenly more attractive than a new one.

[d000hg]

...or the opposite. With the hike in VED, people will be more inclined to buy second hand, thus driving up the prices.

If there's a spike in new car registrations, the old ones have to go somewhere. There might be a longer-term trend towards 2nd-hand but right now, people are wanting to get in before the deadline. Those buying 2nd-hand aren't in the same rush so maybe we'll see an initial glut which relaxes into higher demand than previously.

Although if you're paying the premium for a new car, the VED change is quite small compared to the decision to buy nearly-new. I doubt people who want to buy new will change their pattern?