Increased Interest in Pre-Owned Vehicles in Yakutia

Increased Interest in Pre-Owned Vehicles in Yakutia

Russians Prefer Used Cars Amid Economic Challenges: MTS AdTech Survey

MTS's digital ecosystem and MTC AdTech analytics and research center have revealed insights from a survey conducted among Russians about car buying. The majority of respondents from the Far East are inclined towards purchasing a used vehicle, with the majority opting to fund their purchase personally rather than relying on credit.

According to the survey, approximately 28% of respondents plan to buy a car, with 16% delaying their purchase due to unfavorable market conditions. A third of participants in the survey do not intend to buy a car or currently do not own one. Conversely, 67% of respondents are saving for a car purchase with their own funds. Only 20% are willing to take out a loan, while another 11% are considering a trade-in with additional payment.

Most respondents (80%) have shown interest in buying a used car. Approximately 68% of these individuals are attracted by the lower cost compared to purchasing a new vehicle. Additionally, 22% of respondents are interested in car brands that have exited the Russian market.

Used cars are more frequently chosen in the Far Eastern (95%) and North Caucasus (93%) federal districts. In the Far East, respondents are more likely to purchase cars older than five years (47%). Cars aged three to five years are most commonly bought in the North Caucasus federal district (64%). In the Northwestern federal district, cars not older than three years are the most popular choice (32%). Nearly new vehicles, with an age of up to one year, are most often purchased in Siberia, the Central Federal District, and the Ural Federal District (6% each).

Artem Pulikov, MTS AdTech's commercial director, commented on these findings, stating, "Rising car prices, high-interest rates, and the withdrawal of familiar car brands from the Russian market are compelling Russians to reconsider the used car market. Sellers find it increasingly challenging to reach new car buyers, necessitating targeted advertising tools that can effectively reach narrow audience segments based on Big Data."

The survey also identified the most common sources of information consulted by Russians before purchasing a used car. 56% of respondents visit websites of car buying and reselling services, while 44% explore automotive forums, blogs, and media websites. Additionally, 43% browse official dealership websites' trade-in sections, and 38% watch automotive reviews on video platforms like YouTube, Rutube, and VK Video. 29% use mobile apps for buying and reselling cars, and 16% read information in Telegram channels dedicated to automobiles.

The survey, conducted by MTS AdTech's Analytics and Research Center, polled 2,000 Russians aged 18 and over residing in the Russian Federation in April 2025.

When considering the sources of information most commonly consulted by Russians while purchasing a used car, online automotive marketplaces such as Avito and Drom.ru, dealerships and professional sellers, personal recommendations from friends and family, and social media and forums play significant roles. Digital ads and targeted campaigns on popular websites and search engines also aid buyers in discovering available vehicles. These findings broadly align with the insights from MTS AdTech's survey.

1. In light of economic challenges, a significant number of Russians prefer to fund their car purchases personally rather than relying on credit.
2. The survey reveals that about 28% of Russians intend to buy a car, with a third choosing not to buy or currently not owning one.
3. A majority (80%) of respondents are interested in buying used cars, attracted by their lower cost compared to new vehicles.
4. In the Far East and North Caucasus federal districts, used cars are more frequently chosen, with respondents often opting for older vehicles.
5. The survey findings suggest that rising car prices, high-interest rates, and the withdrawal of familiar car brands from the Russian market are influencing buyers to explore the used car market.
6. The survey also shows that online car buying and reselling services, automotive forums, blogs, media websites, official dealership websites' trade-in sections, automotive reviews on video platforms, mobile apps for buying and reselling cars, and Telegram channels dedicated to automobiles are the most common sources of information consulted by Russians before purchasing a used car.
7. Sellers are finding it challenging to reach new car buyers, prompting the need for targeted advertising tools that can effectively reach narrow audience segments based on Big Data.
8. MTS AdTech's Analytics and Research Center conducted a survey, polling 2,000 Russians aged 18 and over residing in the Russian Federation in April 2025.
9. Personal recommendations from friends and family, as well as social media and forums, play significant roles in the sources of information consulted by Russians while purchasing a used car, along with digital ads and targeted campaigns on popular websites and search engines.

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