Kia reports increased demand for vehicles over 10 years old… “Lower burden, higher practicality”

K Car, a direct-sale used car platform, announced on the 18th that as the trend of holding and driving vehicles for longer periods becomes more pronounced, demand for older model year cars is also expanding in the used car market. According to analysis, rising new car prices and economic uncertainty have increased the burden of vehicle replacement, while overall improvements in vehicle durability and marketability have led consumers to place greater importance on cost-effectiveness and practicality.

According to the Korea Automobile Mobility Industry Association, as of March this year, among the 26,609,015 registered vehicles in the country, the proportion of vehicles aged 10 years or older stood at 38.4%, a record high. The share of very old vehicles aged 15 years or more also rose from 11.8% in 2020 to 14.6% this year. In contrast, new vehicle registrations decreased from 1,905,972 in 2020 to 1,695,442 in 2025.

This trend is also evident in the used car market. According to K Car sales data, as of 2025, the proportion of vehicles aged five years or less sold was 43%, down 12 percentage points from 55% in 2021. Meanwhile, the retail sales share of vehicles over 10 years old increased to 11%, up 4 percentage points from 7% in 2021. Although preference for nearly-new used cars remains strong, rising price pressures are broadening consumer choices to include relatively older vehicles.

In particular, there has been a recent shift towards consumption that comprehensively considers purchase burden, maintenance costs, and actual usability, rather than focusing solely on the vehicle's age. Even cars that are seven to ten years old are now seen as competitive options if they have low mileage and are well-maintained. For example, the Grandeur IG and Avante AD (both over ten years old), the Next Spark, and the New Grandeur IG (seven years old) are among the most popular models in the used car market. K Car explained that this trend shows older vehicles are establishing themselves as rational choices offering practicality and price competitiveness.

In response to these changing demands, K Car is securing inventory across a range of model years, ensuring both price competitiveness and quality. This is based on the assessment that the used car market is evolving beyond simply being a substitute for new cars, into a rational choice market that aligns with consumers' budgets and lifestyles.