“State of the Yard”

We are entering what the automotive industry calls the “Pre-EOFY pressure cook.” Across Western Australia, economic factors and shifting consumer mindsets have completely altered the buying landscape this May.

Roy Morgan’s latest national data reveals a massive trend: intentions to buy a brand-new car have plunged to a five-year low as buyers look to trim spending. However, interest in the used car market remains completely steady, with 1 in 4 Australians actively looking to buy pre-owned.

For Perth buyers, this means the used market is the place to find value this month. Here is exactly what is driving the market right now.

1. The Pre-EOFY Trade-In Tsunami

May is prime time for fleet turnovers and business upgrades before June 30. Local corporate fleets and small businesses across WA are aggressively upgrading their vehicles to maximize their tax positions.

• The Result: We are seeing a massive influx of late-model, one-owner corporate trade-ins hitting our inventory.
• The Buyer Benefit: If you are looking for a 2-to-4-year-old vehicle with a immaculate, dealer-stamped logbook service history, May is historically the best month of the year to find it.

2. The Medium SUV Takeover

If you feel like every second car on the Mitchell or Kwinana Freeway is a medium SUV, you aren’t imagining it. For buyers actively looking for a vehicle, Medium SUVs now command a massive 26% share of all buyer preference, completely overtaking traditional passenger cars and hatchbacks.

• What’s Hot: Models like the Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, and Hyundai Tucson are the ultimate priorities for WA families.
• The Supply Shift: Because new car supply for these models has finally normalized, the backlog has cleared, meaning used prices on these family favorites have stabilized into a very fair “value zone.”

3. The Chinese Brand Wave Hits the Used Market

The “Chinese Advance” is no longer just a new car story. Brands like BYD, GWM, and MG are on track to capture nearly 25% of the total Australian new car market this year, and those early-adoption models are now flowing heavily into the secondary market.

• The Smart Move: Buyers are realizing they can pick up a 2024 or 2025 BYD Atto 3 or GWM Cannon ute with massive remaining factory warranties, cutting-edge tech, and a heavily discounted pre-owned price tag compared to legacy brands.

4. Beat the June Rush

June is traditionally chaotic at dealerships as everyone scrambles for EOFY deals. Smart WA buyers are moving in May to avoid the crowds, secure the best corporate trade-ins before they are snapped up, and lock in competitive finance rates early.

The Car Giant WA Strategy: You don’t need to wait for a “June 30 Flash Sale.” Our Fixed Price Philosophy means our stock is already priced to the absolute limit of the May market using real-time data. The price you see on our site today is our best price—no games, no waiting, all year round.

May’s Top Value Picks at Car Giant WA:

• The Fleet Favourite: Toyota Camry & Corolla (Immaculate ex-fleet vehicles with perfect service histories).
• The High-Tech Choice: Late-model MG HS or GWM Haval H6 (Incredible luxury features for a mid-tier budget).
• The Winter Adventure: Subaru Outback or Isuszu MU-X (Perfect timing to lock in a robust tourer before the winter school holidays).

Beat the June EOFY madness. The best stock of the quarter is sitting on our yard right now.

Browse our May fresh arrivals at cargiantwa.au or come see the team at 9 Solomon Road, Jandakot.