Apr 11, 2025

Compact Hatchbacks Remain Top Picks Compact hatchbacks continue to dominate the preferences of Indian used car buyers. Leading the charts in Q1 2025 were the Hyundai Grand i10, Maruti Suzuki Swift, and Renault Kwid. The Swift made notable progress this year, overtaking the Baleno to secure a place among the top three most sought-after models. These vehicles are widely favoured for their affordability, fuel efficiency, and suitability for city driving, making them particularly appealing to young professionals and small families. Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, and Honda continue to hold their place as the most trusted brands in the used car segment, owing to their strong service networks, spare parts availability, and established reputations for reliability. Online Car Buying Sees a Dramatic Rise One of the most significant changes in the used car market is the shift to digital platforms. According to the report, an impressive 77% of all purchases on Spinny were made online during the first quarter of 2025. This represents a major behavioural shift, as consumers increasingly seek convenience, transparency, and access to certified vehicles without needing to visit physical dealerships. With the rise of digital trust and improved customer experiences through online platforms, buyers are now more confident purchasing vehicles remotely. This trend reflects a broader digital transformation in India's automotive retail space. Automatics on the Rise, Especially Among Women Automatic transmission vehicles are becoming increasingly popular, now making up 29% of all used car sales — a notable increase from 24% in 2024. As traffic congestion in cities worsens, automatics offer a hassle-free driving experience, which is driving their popularity across urban centres. Women buyers have emerged as a significant and growing demographic in the used car market. They now account for 28% of Spinny's customer base. Kochi reported the highest share of female buyers, while Coimbatore recorded the highest percentage of loan-financed purchases by women at 27%. These figures reflect both increased financial independence and greater mobility aspirations among women in tier-1 and tier-2 cities. Petrol Cars Lead the Fuel Preference Race Petrol-powered cars remain the most preferred choice among used car buyers, with 84% of all purchases falling into this category. Diesel, CNG, and electric vehicles still lag behind, though interest in greener alternatives is slowly growing. Pune stood out in the report for its relatively high uptake of electric vehicles, accounting for 40% of EV purchases made on Spinny's platform. While the overall EV share remains low, Pune's performance may hint at growing eco-consciousness and infrastructure improvements in select regions. Loans Fuel the Market, Luxury Cars Make Their Mark Car loans remain a popular mode of financing, with 57% of total purchases being supported by loan assistance. Jaipur led the financing charts, with 60% of its buyers choosing the loan route. This underscores the affordability-driven mindset of used car buyers who are seeking to upgrade their vehicles without making large upfront payments. Luxury cars also held a respectable share of the market through the Spinny Max platform. Models like the Jeep Compass, BMW X1, and Mercedes-Benz GLA were among the most preferred premium offerings. These cars allow aspirational buyers to enter the luxury segment at a lower cost compared to new models, without compromising on brand value or performance. Changing Tastes, Changing Times India's pre-owned car market is clearly evolving, with convenience, affordability, and functionality shaping buyer preferences. The growing role of women buyers, rise in automatic car purchases, and steady dominance of compact hatchbacks all point to a more mature and dynamic used car ecosystem. As digital channels continue to drive growth and consumer confidence, the second-hand car market in India looks set to expand even further in the coming years.