Nearly half of UK used car buyers return to same dealer

Almost half of UK drivers (48%) return to the same dealership to buy another used car, new research from AA Cars reveals—highlighting the critical role of trust and customer experience in building long-term dealer relationships.

The data shows that 28% of buyers have purchased two cars from the same dealership, while 20% have returned for three or more vehicles.

The trend underlines the value of customer loyalty and its impact on used car sales.

For those considering buying from a dealer they haven’t used before, 68% cited competitive pricing as the top draw, closely followed by a good warranty of 12 months or more (65%) and a dealer’s reputation as part of a trusted franchise (55%).

Additional key drivers included:

• Independent inspections (45%)
• Accreditation by bodies such as Trading Standards (42%)
• Independent online reviews (32%)
• Extended test drive opportunities (26%)

To support dealers in building repeat business, AA Cars has now introduced a new customer incentive—a £75 voucher for servicing or MOTs at any AA-approved garage with every sale.

James Hosking, managing director of AA Cars, said: "Building customer trust and loyalty is key for any successful car dealer, as this is what drives valuable repeat business and referrals.

“Finding out what keeps a customer returning to a dealership is really important, but to start with you need to know what attracts them in the first place.

“Cars that offer good value for money are always going to catch the eye, but an enticing warranty, independent vehicle inspections and trusted, third-party accreditation are all key to bringing in new customers.

“Dealers who can offer all of these things as part of a compelling package are going to find they’ve got a competitive advantage over their rivals, which is crucial in today’s crowded marketplace.”