Pune: The festive season this year has shifted into high gear for the pre-owned car market, with soaring demand fuelled by affordability, easy financing and the dream of car ownership.Automobile dealers said enquiries and bookings have increased by 30-40% compared to last year, particularly for well-maintained hatchbacks, compact SUVs and automatic cars. Buyers are largely seeking feature-rich vehicles without stretching their budgets, they said.Mangesh Chavan, a resident of Katraj, said, “A pre-owned car is also a new vehicle for us. We have booked a car and will take delivery on Dhanteras. It will be a big day for us because it is the first car in our family.”“We will avail of finance options because we have chosen a pre-owned car worth Rs 10 lakh. We expect delivery in a few days. Buying this car has been an aspiration, and it will be like a dream come true,” said Girish Joshi, a resident of Hadapsar.Dealers said vehicles priced below Rs 5 lakh are witnessing strong demand. “We have been seeing excellent demand for second-hand cars in the Rs 3-5 lakh range from across Maharashtra. Demand was particularly strong during Navaratra and Dasara, and the momentum is continuing in the run-up to Diwali,” said Rohan Pawade, a dealer at Bhama Auto in Kothrud.The availability of certified pre-owned cars, easier financing options and attractive exchange deals are among the key factors encouraging purchases during the festive period. “Growth is around 55-60% compared to last year. We are seeing particularly strong demand from first-time car buyers seeking affordable and practical vehicles,” Shivanshu Makkar, CFO (India) at Cars24, told TOI.“The average ticket size for a pre-owned car remains between Rs 5.5 lakh and Rs 6 lakh, even during the festive season,” Makkar said.According to Cars24, hatchbacks continue to dominate the pre-owned car market, accounting for over 50% of sales volume. SUVs, meanwhile, are the fastest-growing segment.Pramod Jain, who runs Jain Motors on Shankar Sheth Road, said demand for pre-owned cars priced between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 10 lakh remains strong. “There has also been healthy demand for second-hand electric cars,” he said, adding that pre-owned vehicles recorded significant sales at recent car melas.Rajesh Titade, who runs Mahavir Cars in Baner, told TOI, “Demand for pre-owned cars has remained significantly higher than last year. We are also offering over-the-counter deals, and many customers from across the state are availing of financing schemes for their purchases.”
