Used car prices remain high but many drivers not confident to haggle

By Polly Fleeting · · 3 min read
Fact Checked
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woman driving used car and smiling

There are over 20 million registered motor vehicles in Australia and according to online automotive marketplace Autotrader, 75% of Aussie drivers have purchased a used car at some point in time. 

However, that’s not to say that we are well-versed in haggling prices. 

In recent research commissioned by Autotrader and undertaken by YouGov, it was found that 64% of Aussie drivers between 22 and 54 feel very uncomfortable negotiating the price of a pre-loved set of wheels. Plus, 50% of Aussie drivers claim they aren’t very knowledgeable about cars at all. 

So where do second hand car prices sit now? 

According to Moody Analytics Used Car Index , second hand vehicle prices in July 2021 were 27.4% higher than the same time in 2020. 

But this doesn’t mean there isn’t still wriggle room when it comes to negotiating the price of a used car. 

Dr. Tim Sharp, a behavioural psychologist and founder of The Happiness Institute, says that when making a major purchase, it’s all about having the confidence to secure a fair deal. 

“When completing a major purchase, the factors that affect pricing can play a major part on our psychological well being. We typically experience a range of emotions in the lead up to and during the purchase from anxiety to excitement,” says Sharp. 

“However, when we focus on the positive emotions and let that guide our decisions, we typically walk away with a fairer deal and a better experience as a result. The best way to do this is be prepared and do your research. By building your knowledge and information, you’ll be in a better place to achieve a successful outcome.”

Tips for haggling the price of a used car

There are a bunch of ways to prepare yourself heading into a negotiation about the price of a used car. 

Here are Mozo’s 3 top tips: 

1. Research other used cars on the market: By looking around at the prices of other second hand cars, you’ll be able to get a feel of how much you should be paying. Research cars that are the same make, model and year as well as cars that are similar. It may also be useful to ask your friends and family, you never know who might be a car price whiz or haggling queen! 

2. Know your maximum price and be prepared to start low: Once you know how much you are likely to spend, establish what your absolute maximum price is (and don’t go over it). Similarly, be prepared to initially ask the seller for a low price (within reason), because remember the lower you start the more room there is for them to lower what they are asking for. 

3. Get pre-approved for a low rate car loan: If you need the help of a car loan to purchase your pre-loved whip, try and get pre-approved. By being pre-approved you’ll know exactly how much you have to spend when you start your negotiations. Don’t forget, when shopping around for a car loan look out for low rate options. In some cases the healthier your credit rating the better rate you get, so it might be time to take a look at your credit history and make sure it’s in check. 

Ready to start comparing used car loans right now? Check out these top options below or head over to our car loans comparison page for more!

Mozo may receive payment if you click products on our site. We don’t compare the entire market, but you can search our database of 91 car loans using the filters.
Last updated 14 January 2026 Important disclosures and comparison rate warning*

Car loan comparisons on Mozo

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    New Car Loan

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    Based on $30,000 over 5 years
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    Get a competitive fixed interest rate on a secured used car loan of up to $100,000 depending on your credit score. No vehicle age limits. Easy online application. Fast pre-approval. Pre-approved funds held for 1 month. No monthly account keeping fees, no exit fees and no early repayment fees. Flexible weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayments on terms from 1 to 7 years.

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    Interest rate from
    5.95 % p.a.
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    18.99 % p.a.
    Comparison rate from
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    to
    21.78 % p.a.
    Based on $30,000 over 5 years
    Monthly repayment
    $608
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    Get a competitive fixed interest rate on a secured new car loan of up to $100,000 depending on your credit score. Easy online application. Fast pre-approval. Pre-approved funds held for 1 month. No monthly account keeping fees, no exit fees and no early repayment fees. Flexible weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayments on terms from 1 to 7 years.

  • New Car Loan

    • up to 4 years old, Fixed, Secured
    Interest rate from
    5.99 % p.a.
    Comparison rate from
    6.34 % p.a.
    Based on $30,000 over 5 years
    Monthly repayment
    $608
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    • Fixed, Secured, No vehicle age limit, $5,000-$100,000
    Interest rate from
    5.95 % p.a.
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    18.99 % p.a.
    Comparison rate from
    5.95 % p.a.
    to
    21.78 % p.a.
    Based on $30,000 over 5 years
    Monthly repayment
    $608
    Go to site

    Get a competitive fixed interest rate on a secured used car loan of up to $100,000 depending on your credit score. No vehicle age limits. Easy online application. Fast pre-approval. Pre-approved funds held for 1 month. No monthly account keeping fees, no exit fees and no early repayment fees. Flexible weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayments on terms from 1 to 7 years.

  • New Car Loan

    • Fixed, Secured, $5,000-$100,000
    Interest rate from
    5.95 % p.a.
    to
    18.99 % p.a.
    Comparison rate from
    5.95 % p.a.
    to
    21.78 % p.a.
    Based on $30,000 over 5 years
    Monthly repayment
    $608
    Go to site

    Get a competitive fixed interest rate on a secured new car loan of up to $100,000 depending on your credit score. Easy online application. Fast pre-approval. Pre-approved funds held for 1 month. No monthly account keeping fees, no exit fees and no early repayment fees. Flexible weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayments on terms from 1 to 7 years.

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    Interest rate from
    5.95 % p.a.
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    18.99 % p.a.
    Comparison rate from
    5.95 % p.a.
    to
    21.78 % p.a.
    Based on $30,000 over 5 years
    Monthly repayment
    $608
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    Get a secured personal loan with competitive low rates for borrowers with exceptional credit. A simple fixed interest rate that can be repaid weekly, fortnightly or monthly, over 1 to 7 years (10 years for Green Loans). Managed entirely online, at any time. No monthly account keeping fees, no exit fees and no early repayment fees. Quick and easy, 100% online application. Establishment fees apply.

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* WARNING: The Comparison Rate combines the lender's interest rate, fees and charges into a single rate to show the true cost of a personal loan. The comparison rates displayed are calculated based on a loan of $30,000 for a term of 5 years or a loan of $10,000 for a term of 3 years as indicated, based on monthly principal and interest repayments, on a secured basis for secured loans and an unsecured basis for unsecured loans. This comparison rate applies only to the example or examples given. Different amounts and terms will result in different comparison rates. Costs such as redraw fees or early repayment fees, and cost savings such as fee waivers, are not included in the comparison rate but may influence the cost of the loan.

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