when will second hand car prices drop Page 497

Used car prices in Australia surged through 2021–22, but the fever’s breaking as new-car supply recovers and interest rates bite. Expect a gradual softening through 2025, with some segments drifting 5–15% off their peaks, while perennially popular utes and medium SUVs stay a bit stubborn. EVs and thirsty large cars are easing faster, because tech moves quickly and petrol isn’t getting cheaper. The best buying windows are still EOFY, plate-clearance season (Dec–Jan), and end-of-quarter tidy-ups. Regional demand, mileage, and service history can swamp market trends—good cars still fetch good money. In short: not a cliff, more a slow exhale, so be patient and keep your search radius wide.