As new tariffs continue to be introduced to Canada’s auto sector, The Road Ahead: BC Auto Resale Market Pulse from Autozen highlights that the majority of British Columbians (82%) believe the price of used cars will increase over the next 12 months
VANCOUVER, British Columbia–(BUSINESS WIRE)–New research from Autozen, a Vancouver-based digital platform that simplifies the car-selling process for Canadians, reveals growing concerns amongst British Columbians on the impact of ongoing economic uncertainties on both the new and used car markets, with 65% of B.C. residents worried about the price of the used car industry due to tariffs.
As more British Columbians turn to car-selling on digital platforms, the report also highlights growing worries about the risks of scams, with 61% of B.C. residents concerned about fraud when selling their vehicle through a traditional online marketplace.
The Road Ahead: BC Auto Resale Market Pulse reveals the following three trends:
Impacts of Tariffs on Consumer Auto Market
- 61% of British Columbians are concerned about finding reasonable used car options amidst the current economic uncertainty due to tariffs
-
30% of British Columbians have changed their decision on a major purchase or sale (ex. a car or a house) because of the uncertain political landscape
- Northern British Columbians have changed their major purchasing decisions the most amidst tariffs (41%)
- 73% of British Columbians are concerned about finding reasonable new car options amidst the current economic uncertainty due to tariffs
Cost of Living Crisis + Impact on Auto Market
- The majority (73%) of British Columbians are not looking to sell their car in the next year
- Nearly two-in-ten (18%) British Columbians are holding off on selling or trading their car because of tariffs/trade war
-
The majority (82%) of British Columbians believe the price of used cars will increase over the next 12 months
- 35% stated they thought it would increase significantly
- Most British Columbians (67%) don’t think selling their car through a dealership would give them the best price on a used car
Used Auto Sale Trends + Consumer Concerns
- More than 1-in-3 British Columbians (38%) would prefer to sell their car through a dealership rather than a traditional online marketplace (e.g. Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji, AutoTrader, etc), even if it means potentially earning less money, due to safety concerns
- Nearly half of British Columbians (47%) feel frustrated when selling their car through a dealership
- 37% of British Columbians believe selling their car through a dealership is a time-consuming process, which causes them a great deal of hassle
- The majority (61%) of British Columbians are concerned about fraud when selling their car through a traditional online marketplace
“As clearly shown in the data, like the majority of Canadians, British Columbians are seriously concerned about the ongoing impact of tariffs on finding reasonable prices and options in the used car sector,” said Sean Mactavish, CEO of Autozen. “We hear it more and more from our customers every day. That’s why we’re focused on creating a smoother, stress-free way for people to sell their vehicles—helping them navigate an uncertain market where prices fluctuate, options feel limited, and the traditional selling process can often be time-consuming and frustrating.”
For more information on Autozen and to start selling your car the zen way, visit autozen.com.
About Autozen
Autozen enables British Columbians to easily sell their car from the comfort of their own home. Through their private auction, a network of professional dealers competes for your vehicle, ensuring a good price, all with just a smartphone, eliminating the hassle of haggling, meetings, or negotiations. By transforming the auto reselling experience, Autozen empowers consumers with a seamless, stress-free way to sell their cars while helping dealerships access quality used vehicles. For more on Autozen, visit autozen.com.
Methodology
These findings are from a survey conducted by Autozen from March 17th to March 19th, 2025, among a representative sample of 800 online British Columbians who are members of the Angus Reid Forum. The survey was conducted in English and French. For comparison purposes only, a probability sample of this size would carry a margin of error of +/-3.46 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
Contacts
Amy Sarkany
Senior Account Executive
[email protected]
