‘Could compromise safety’: Should you buy a car from a defunct brand in Australia?

While used cars from iconic brands including Holden remain popular, experts are sharing the hidden cost traps some owners are falling into.

There’s no denying the onslaught of new car makers in Australia (predominantly coming from China) has affected the rest of the industry, with legacy car makers feeling the pressure to compete with budget-friendly manufacturers who are slowly winning over consumers.

However, Australia’s new-car market isn’t easy to crack, with numerous brands including Opel, Daihatsu and, more recently, Citroen bidding goodbye to the land down under amid declining consumer demand. Even iconic brand Holden was not immune, pulling out of the Australian market in 2020.

For car owners who have invested thousands of dollars in used cars from brands without an Australian p