Alexey Borodin, an auto expert and re-seller, shares his experience of recent months, when the used car market became extremely unstable. Sales either plummet or recover to almost the same level, and prices for some cars rise, while others fall by half. Even experienced sellers cannot understand the logic of what is happening.
In four months, Borodin managed to sell only two cars - Honda Stepwgn and Toyota Passo. At the same time, seemingly "proven" brands were sold with difficulty, and interest in lots depended sharply on minor factors, such as the time of year and news about an increase in the recycling fee. The Stepwgn had to be prepared for sale for four days, polishing the interior and fixing minor things, but even with bright photos and a description, a successful sale depended on the right price and a patient buyer.
Toyota Passo, seemingly an ideal compact car, was also sold with difficulty. Buyers, although interested in the car, were lost in the new registration rules, did not understand the modern deregistration procedure, and created additional logistical difficulties. As a result, the purchase became an almost surreal story, where every little thing could disrupt the deal.
Borodin concludes: the secondary market is "broken." Prices have been rising in recent years, creating a gap between the desires of sellers and the capabilities of buyers. After the increase in the key rate of the Central Bank, buyers left the market, leaving cars unsold, and when interest returns, new "weights" in the form of an increased recycling fee again create chaos.
The main reason for the instability is the recycling fee, which, with the new tariff and restrictions on engine power, affects all transactions. This prevents the market from functioning normally, leads to price jumps and prevents the formation of a real market value of cars.
The author admits that he is tired of maneuvering between rising price tags and the solvency of customers. Despite the queue of those who want to buy, he plans to take a break until spring and, possibly, return to selling classic cars.