Cars24 launches sale with discounts & buyer guarantees

Cars24 has launched an end-of-financial-year sale on selected used vehicles, offering discounts of up to AUD $5,000 and two buyer guarantees.

The online used-car retailer said the offer applies to about 30 per cent of its inventory and covers selected models, including small SUVs and electric vehicles. The sale combines price cuts with its Price Match Guarantee and 30-Day Return Guarantee.

Cars24 is targeting buyers who are taking longer to make major spending decisions as household budgets remain under pressure. It said customers are placing greater emphasis on comparing prices and reducing the risk of choosing the wrong vehicle.

Buyer caution

Andrew Dodd, Spokesperson, Cars24, said the market has shifted away from a simple hunt for the lowest advertised price.

"Australians don't just want a deal anymore, they want confidence they're making the right choice. People are spending more time comparing prices, weighing up options, and trying to avoid overpaying or getting stuck with the wrong decision," Dodd said.

Cars24 said the trend is particularly visible in categories where ownership costs are under scrutiny. Demand has risen for small SUVs and EVs as fuel prices shape purchase decisions and buyers focus more closely on long-term value, it said.

The Price Match Guarantee remains in place beyond the current campaign. Under the policy, eligible customers can ask Cars24 to match a lower publicly advertised price on a comparable vehicle elsewhere, subject to eligibility criteria.

The 30-Day Return Guarantee was introduced more recently and is described by Cars24 as an industry first in Australia's online used-car market. Together, the two measures are intended to ease concerns about both price and suitability when buying a used car online.

Online market

The campaign also reflects a broader effort by Cars24 to build trust in online used-car transactions. The company operates a digital-first model in Australia and says it holds national stock of inspected vehicles rather than acting solely as a listings marketplace for dealers and private sellers.

Cars24 is part of a wider used-car sector in which consumers have become more research-driven after several years of economic uncertainty and volatile vehicle prices. In response, retailers have increasingly looked for ways to reassure buyers on valuation, condition and return options.

The Australian used-car market is worth about AUD $120 billion, according to Cars24. The company said it is expanding its local operations in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney as it seeks a larger share of that market.

Dodd said certainty and transparency are now central to the purchase decision for many customers.

"We're seeing buyers place greater importance on certainty and transparency, particularly when it comes to major purchases like a car. Customers want to know they've made the right call so they can focus on finding the right car, not second-guessing themselves," Dodd said.