It appears that a number of factors, including the state of the economy and the increased reliability of cars over the last decade, are leading Americans to increasingly consider buying a used car over a new one.

According to a new survey from Cars.com, 32 percent of car buyers who would have normally purchased a new car, shopped for a used car because of the state of the economy. That number has risen 5 percent from a similar survey done in October of last year.

Cars.com editor in chief Patrick Olsen said there are an increasing number of benefits to buying a used car.

“Consumers are still focused on cost-cutting, and one way to do that is to find a solid used car to help save on the depreciation costs that typically come with buying a new car,” he said.

Although cost savings is a big factor for the jump in used car sales, another factor driving the purchases is the increase in reliability for new cars over the last decade which has trickled down to the used car market.

A recent report from R.L. Polk & Co. finds that the median age of vehicles in the U.S. is growing and now stands at 9.4 years.

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