To wonder how these prices are sustainable?

[Auntiedear]

I'm looking to buy a new car and safety is my priority. Looking online it seems the Volvo XC90 rates very highly so I decide to look at some secondhand options but the prices are absolutely ludicrous!!

A 6 year old car with over 50k mileage is £35000!! More than the average UK salary. Who is buying these cars? I mean people clearly are or Volvo would be out of business but I never thought of Volvo as particularly high-end, I thought they were fairly average family cars but clearly I'm out of touch!

I just can't believe that cars are being sold for this amount - particularly with the cost of living.

AIBU to think the prices are ludicrous and being surprised or am I just naive!

I’ve never thought Volvo as an average car, they are expensive.

They’re over £60k new so that’s half the cost.

Welcome to Brexit

Volvos are very expensive, there’s lots of cheaper cars around.

I wanted that car but was no way spending that sort of money used. We got a Hyundai Santa Fe. Similar - cheaper. ( got new)

essentially the people buying these cars are people who rent or people that get in loads of debt to do so

Leasing springs to mind, about £650 a month for that make and model brand new. And not everyone is struggling financially frustrating as that may be.

Volvos are not average family cars either. Much cheaper options available with lots of safety features.

The issue isn't brexit its a global shortage of chips that all cars need. Its a shortage of new cars, very few deals on nearly new, just reflecting in the second hand market.

Op find out how long it will take to get a new volvo or any other car.

A volvo is not your average family car. They're very expensive, as you now know. I'd love one, but it ain't ever going to happen unless I get a really old one.

“essentially the people buying these cars are people who rent or people that get in loads of debt to do so”
No, I have a £30k car I purchased outright, not everyone gets into debt to buy cars. I’ve always said I don’t want car finance and would prefer to save and buy outright.

Volvo is a premium brand and the XC90 is the biggest, most expensive model it makes, equivalent in size to a Range Rover, so of course it’s going to be a lot more expensive than a Ford Focus.
Also, the price of used cars is not set by the manufacturer, it is set by supply & demand in a free market.
If you want a large SUV, but can’t afford an XC90, how about a Skoda Kodiaq, Kia Sorento or Hyundai Santa Fe? All will suit your requirements well.

I've never thought of Volvo being average, always higher end.
But finance, whichever works best, is usually the way. I'll not pay outright for a car now.

Is it? Not doubting you, just curious as I always thought it was cheaper in the long run to buy outright.

Please please explain to me how second hand car pricing is affected by Brexit

We’ve just bought a four year old car and I was very surprised by how much second hand cars are costing.

There's still a big shortage of semi conductors following Covid shut downs. Which means new cars have very long leads, which in turn means that second hand cars are more in demand. That and you've picked a very expensive car.

I really thought Volvo's were normal family cars - I think it is because I remember being chucked in the boot with my friends when I was little 🤣

Clearly I need to look for something more affordable - let's hope my little 16 year Corsa keeps going for a while yet 🤞

If you want a Volvo the V40 is a great car and incredibly economical. You should be able to find a good one with less than 30000 miles for around £15k. It’s worth going to a few dealerships and asking if they have any motabiliyy cars coming in as those often have very low mileage.

They definitely aren’t an average family car - I would love one but it’ll never happen. Instead got a 4 year old qashqai this year with 28k miles for 15k

Look at the XC90 first gen facelift model OP (2007-2014). Solid, same fantastic safety record but a fraction of that price. I bought a 2012 example last year and am very pleased with it.

Let me know if you want a recommendation for a specialist dealer we used in the North of England.

Btw mileage on these often a misleading metric to focus on...

One more point. 2010-2014 still manufactured in Sweden and better reliability then the line that followed (first to be manufactured in China)

Yes. Everything’s a fortune. You’ll be told YABU but you are not. It’s horrendous atm :(

It’s like an auto response

@Sugarfree23 and others have got it

@Sakura7 - works best for me. I should have been a bit clearer.

With my old car I had a finance deal where I then had to make a massive payment at the end (couldn't swap it for a new deal due to the condition it was in 😳😳) it seemed like quite an expensive way to do it.

Is it cheaper to buy outright?