Experian reveals women's preferences

New consumer research by Experian identified women as being more likely to buy an older car, usually over three years old, from a private individual. They are also less likely to protect themselves by checking out the provenance of a used car before buying it.

Findings showed men are more inclined to buy used cars under one year old (20 per cent of men compared with 12 per cent of women) and more likely to spend £8,000 or more (31 per cent of men compared with 20 per cent of women). However, they are also more likely to buy from franchised dealers – 41 per cent of men compared with 33 per cent of women – running approved used car programmes. Furthermore, men who do buy privately are more likely to carry out a vehicle status check than female car buyers. "The survey found that price is more of an influencing factor for women than it is for men when it comes to buying a used car,” said Rob Whalley, managing director of Experian's automotive division. “They are more likely to have bought an older car and paid less for it than men." "Also, in terms of deciding where to buy a used car, the range of cars to choose from is more important to women, whether they are searching through a used car magazine or a dealer's forecourt.”