Used Car - 1 vs 2 owners

[M5m3]

Hi,

 

Would like to know whether there is a differential in price for a used car with 1 previous owner and 2 previous owner (assume both are registered on same months and year)? if so, how large is the differential ?

 

I was just wondering why there should be a differential (if at all). All things being equal, shouldn't the price of car be based on age of car rather than number of owners ?

 

Thanks

 

 

[Kungming]

From my personal experience, the more the number of owners, the less the price the used car can command. This is generally true for normal cars, less so for those performance cars etc.

 

Guess its more of a psychological issue. Buyers are more skeptical if a normal car has changed hands too many times. The inevitable question asked is that if the car is problem-free, why would it be changing hands so often? Thus, buyers always try to bargain down the price further based on this reasoning. (could also be other reasons too)

 

The same goes for colour change from original. I spoke to a dealer before and the common perception is that accident cars have a higher chance of a color change/new paintwork. One reason could be superstition that a certain color is not lucky for owner etc thats why accident and so on.... Thus, again, the price is like less 1-2k on average in this case.

[Longhorn]

Well I guess u can ask yourself if u were looking to buy a used car would u choose a one or two owner car all things being equal? Agree with above post tt it is more a psychological thing

 

[M5m3]

thanks for the reply

 

 

[Throttle2]

Hi,

 

Would like to know whether there is a differential in price for a used car with 1 previous owner and 2 previous owner (assume both are registered on same months and year)? if so, how large is the differential ?

 

I was just wondering why there should be a differential (if at all). All things being equal, shouldn't the price of car be based on age of car rather than number of owners ?

 

Thanks

 

 

It all depends on how old the car is and when the ownership began

the younger the car, the bigger the difference between single and two owners.

However if the car is maybe 6 yrs and the first owner own 3 yrs, 2nd owner 3 yrs then it really doesnt matter.

 

In other words, you can use the same analogy of a girlfren.

 

if this girl within1 yr has 3 boyfrens, run brother run.

if this girl within 6 yrs got 2 boyfrens, maybe it's not that bad after all.

if this girl in 8 yrs only got 1 boyfren, maybe not to good either becos the mind could be brainwashed by 1st boyfren already.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Jasonlim8213]

good explanation.

[Picanto]

and avoid those cars owned by ladies

[M5m3]

thanks for the explanation

 

the reason i'm asking is cos when i was looking thru sgcarmart, i saw cars (abt 4 yrs old) that have 2 owners but are selling at same price as those with 1 owner.

 

only diff is : the one with 2 previous owners is direct from owner will the other is from dealer.

 

if i were to get a used car, i would prefer to get from direct owner as there is prob more room to negotiate for a price that is between what dealer will buy from these owner and what dealer will than sell in the market.

[Kyojin]

think you are wrong there... dealer you can bargain more than private seller. but dealer have more tricks up their sleeves, so you must know what you are dealing with.

 

private owner more direct and usually more honest.

[Sky61]

actually the most important factor is whether the owner(whether 1 or 2) takes care of the ride. u can have one owner,but the owner damn heck care,dont bother to do basic servicing,grooming etc...compared to two owners,but the 2nd owner keeps it in tip top condition (change things that normal guys won't change eg,fuel filter,o2sensors,rotors,thermostat etc)...which one would be better?

 

only thing is u wouldnt know just by seeing how many owners, so best is view the car carefully and access the condition (look out for weld marks!)

[DMC]

actually the most important factor is whether the owner(whether 1 or 2) takes care of the ride. u can have one owner,but the owner damn heck care,dont bother to do basic servicing,grooming etc...compared to two owners,but the 2nd owner keeps it in tip top condition (change things that normal guys won't change eg,fuel filter,o2sensors,rotors,thermostat etc)...which one would be better?

 

only thing is u wouldnt know just by seeing how many owners, so best is view the car carefully and access the condition (look out for weld marks!)

 

Well said! Can't agree no more.

 

To TS, even if the car have more than 2 owners b4, but they take gd care of it, y not? Maybe you can also get free add-ons...rite? I used to drive a 2nd hand car (renewed COE), think got 4 owners before. But the car is pretty well done up (on cosmetics though) and did not give me any problem at all (drove for 4 yrs before i scraped it). It came along with free bonnet scoop, sports rim, body kit, leather seats (original is fabric), sporty steering wheel, pedals, etc..best is that i have free 2 digit no. plate which i retain for my new car now...

[Luckcent]

I have an ex colleague who owns a honda civic for 4 years without servicing or doing anything

to the car and he sold it as is where is. ( of cos the buyer does not know ). so it is a 1 owner car.