Brisbane’s Used Car Market in 2025: What Your Car Is Really Worth

You’ve vacuumed the floors, wiped the dash, and even stuck a pine tree air freshener on the rearview mirror—but how much is your car actually worth in Brisbane’s used car buyers market this year?

The answer? It’s probably not what you expect.

The 2025 market is full of twists, turns, and a few surprises. Thanks to shifting demand, tighter budgets, and a post-pandemic shake-up, the used car scene in Brisbane looks very different from even just a year or two ago.

Let’s break it down.

🚗 Supply, Demand & the Brisbane Factor

Remember when second-hand car prices went through the roof during the COVID years? With new car stock drying up, the used market boomed. Fast forward to 2025, and while the chaos has eased, prices haven’t exactly crashed either.

According to Datium Insights, prices have dipped slightly, but demand remains strong—especially for low-kilometre utes, small SUVs, and anything that sips rather than gulps fuel.

Why?

• Cost of living stress – Brissie households are watching their dollars, and buying used is just... smarter.
• Interest rates – Financing a new vehicle still stings.
• Southeast QLD’s population growth – More people = more demand for reliable rides.

💰 So, What’s Actually Driving Value in 2025?

You might think your car’s a classic. But the market’s got a few different ideas. Here’s what’s really adding (or subtracting) dollars from your car’s value right now:

• Make & model popularity – Think Toyota Hilux, Mazda 3, Hyundai i30—these stay in demand.
• Fuel efficiency – With fuel flirting with $2.20/litre, buyers want savings at the pump.
• Service records – A clean, full logbook can bump your value up fast.
• Kilometres on the clock – Anything under 120,000km is still sweet.
• Accident history – Write-offs or dodgy repairs? Buyers will run a mile.

🛠️ Fix It or Flick It?

Here’s something most sellers don’t realise: you won’t get every repair dollar back. Spending $3K on a new gearbox for a car worth $5K doesn’t always make sense.

✅ Do fix cosmetic issues, tyres, or easy mechanical bits.

❌ Don’t sink big money into major repairs unless you’re planning to keep the car long-term.

Still unsure? Use sites like webuycars.com.au to get a ballpark figure of what your car’s worth right now. They offer quick quotes, and even pick up your car if you decide to sell.

👀 Private Sale vs Instant Sale: What’s Best?

Selling privately will usually earn you more, but it’s not always a breeze—expect tyre-kickers, time-wasters, and lowballers.

Platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree are still buzzing in 2025, but they’re competitive. You’ll need:

• Great photos
• A clear, honest description
• A price that’s fair—but firm

Too much hassle?
Sites like webuycars.com.au make it dead simple. Get an online valuation, lock in your price, and let them do the legwork. Perfect if you value speed and simplicity over squeezing out every last dollar.

🔮 Should You Even Sell Right Now?

Here’s the curveball: maybe your car’s worth more to you than what the market’s offering.

If it’s running well and cheap to maintain, holding on might be the smartest play—especially with new car prices still high and the second-hand EV market not quite mature yet.

Wait a little longer, and you could cash in on better trade-in deals, or make the jump to electric when the timing (and price) is right.

TL;DR: Brisbane’s Used Car Market in 2025

• Prices have eased but are still solid.
• Hybrids, fuel-sippers, and low-KM cars are hot right now.
• Full service history is worth its weight in gold.
• Selling privately gets you more, but instant sales (like through webuycars.com.au) are stress-free.
• Sometimes, the best move is to just keep driving.