Jakarta – Many Indonesian car buyers don’t prioritize resale value when making a purchase, a decision that can lead to financial regret when it’s time to sell, industry experts say.While a strong resale market boosts new car sales, a notable number of consumers initially overlook this crucial factor.
The resale value, or the price a vehicle fetches on the used market, is a key consideration for many Indonesians. Cars known to hold their value tend to perform well in new car sales.However, some buyers initially dismiss its importance, only to be disappointed later.
“Many people think it’s okay when initially purchasing, but they feel the impact when they try to sell after a year,” explained Yulian Karfili, Dialog Strategy Sub-Division Head of PT Honda prospect Motor, recently.
Karfili, also known as Arfi, noted that many Indonesian consumers still view cars as assets with a return value. Resale prices are influenced by several factors, including vehicle condition and model popularity. A larger population of a particular model often indicates proven reliability, supporting stronger resale values.Accessibility of spare parts and ongoing manufacturer support also play a role.Automotive observer and Bandung Institute of Technology academic Yannes Pasaribu echoed this sentiment, stating that resale value remains a critical factor for domestic car buyers and contributes to the continued demand for conventional, internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.”For ICE vehicles,resale value remains high and stable up to 70-80 percent after three years of use,supported by strong secondary markets and established Japanese brands such as Daihatsu,suzuki,Toyota,or Honda,” Pasaribu told detikOto on Friday,August 30,2025.
Though, Pasaribu also observed a shift in priorities among younger consumers, who increasingly prioritize operational costs and environmental efficiency over resale value.