The three priciest used cars likely to cost more than new cars in San Antonio were Toyotas. Credit: UnSplash / Denin Lawley

Buying a used car in San Antonio might actually cost more than driving a brand new one off the lot, a recent study suggests.

According to a report by online automotive search engine iSeeCars.com, used cars including Toyota Corollas, Rav4s, and Tacoma pickup trucks can cost San Antonio residents 13% or more than buying a 2022 version of the same vehicle.

On average, used Toyota Corollas cost San Antonio buyers 17.8% more than buying a 2022 model of the same vehicle. Credit: Julie Blackley / iSeeCars

The iSeeCars study only looked at “lightly-used” cars produced between 2020-2021.

Used cars between 1-5 years old cost $34,392 on average, a 23.9% increase from last year, according to the report. In San Antonio, the cost of buying a used car only increased by 15.8% between April 2021-April 2022, meaning the price increase here was lower than the national average.

iSeeCars Executive Analyst Karl Brauer said that ongoing microchip shortages and supply chain issues are the driving force behind the sudden rise in used car prices, according to the report.

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This article appears in May 18-31, 2022.

Michael Karlis is a multimedia journalist at the San Antonio Current, whose coverage in print and on social media focuses on local and state politics. He is a graduate of American University in Washington,...