Many UK motorists are choosing to keep their current vehicles instead of upgrading. To explore the factors influencing this trend, temporary car insurance experts Tempcover surveyed 1,000 drivers across the UK. The research reveals how long vehicles are currently being kept, the reasons drivers are postponing upgrades, and their thoughts on switching to electric vehicles ahead of the 2030 petrol and diesel ban.
More Than One in Ten Drivers Keep Their Car For a Decade or More
11% of UK drivers report holding onto their cars for at least ten years or more, showing a focus on maximising vehicle lifespan and value.
A further 21% keep their cars for six to nine years, while 40% replace them every three to five years, suggesting a balanced approach between getting good value and staying up to date with newer models.
At the other end of the spectrum, some drivers prefer to upgrade frequently. Nearly one in five (19%) replace their car every one to two years, and 3% change vehicles more than once a year, suggesting they prioritise access to the latest models and deals.
| Reason for delaying replacement | Respondents (%) |
|---|---|
| I'm getting the most out of my current car | 41% |
| New cars are too expensive | 39% |
| Running costs (insurance, tax, fuel) are too high already | 30% |
| I'm happy with my current car's performance and features | 29% |
| Interest rates / finance deals are unattractive | 22% |
| I'm attached to my current car | 16% |
| Cars don't hold their value anymore | 14% |
| I'm waiting until EVs become more affordable | 11% |
| Environmental reasons (want to keep using what I already have) | 10% |
| I haven't found a car I like enough to replace it | 9% |
New Car Prices Delay Upgrades for 39% of UK Drivers
The decision by many UK motorists to keep their current vehicles is driven primarily by cost and practicality. Four in ten (41%) motorists say they’re getting the most out of their current car, while 39% cite newer vehicles being too expensive as a reason for delaying upgrades.
Running costs are also a factor, with 30% pointing to high insurance, tax, and fuel bills for newer cars, while over one in five (22%) say unattractive finance deals or interest rates have held them back.
Beyond finances, some drivers are motivated by attachment or satisfaction. 29% are happy with their current car’s performance and features, 16% feel attached to their current vehicle, and 10% keep it for environmental reasons.
Major Repair Costs Drive Most Car Replacements
When it comes to finally replacing their car, practicality outweighs preference for most UK drivers. The top reason for parting ways with a vehicle is the cost of major repairs becoming too high, cited by more than one in five (22%) motorists.
A further 10% said they were prompted to upgrade after a failed MOT or safety concerns, while 11% chose to sell once their car began losing too much resale value.
Not all replacements are problem-driven, though; one in five (20%) upgraded for access to newer technology or features, and 9% did so due to a lifestyle change, such as a growing family or relocation. Meanwhile, a smaller number of drivers made the switch for environmental reasons (4%) or took advantage of a trade-in or finance deal (6%).
| Reason for replacing last car | Respondents (%) |
|---|---|
| Major repair costs became too high | 22% |
| Desire for newer technology or features | 20% |
| The car lost too much resale value | 11% |
| Failed MOT or safety concerns | 10% |
| Lifestyle change (e.g. family size, moving house) | 9% |
| Running costs becoming too expensive (e.g. fuel, tax, insurance) | 8% |
| I was offered a deal or upgrade through finance or a trade-in | 6% |
| Wanting to switch to a more eco-friendly vehicle (EV or hybrid) | 4% |
| I didn't like it anymore | 4% |
2030 Petrol and Diesel Ban Sparks Mixed Reactions Among Drivers
The upcoming 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars is prompting some UK drivers to rethink their plans, but not everyone is ready to make the switch. Almost one in five (19%) say they’re now considering moving to a hybrid or electric vehicle earlier than planned.
However, many remain uncertain. More than one in ten (13%) plan to delay upgrading until they understand the rules better, while 10% are still unsure how the ban will affect them. Over a quarter (28%) say it hasn’t changed their plans at all, but 11% feel they’ll eventually have no choice but to upgrade.
Among those surveyed, 7% already drive an electric vehicle and say the ban won’t affect them. Meanwhile, 6% are holding off until EVs drop in price, and another 6% admitted they weren’t aware of the upcoming ban at all, highlighting an ongoing knowledge gap among motorists.
Most Drivers Feel Resourceful, Not Resentful, About Holding Onto Their Cars
Despite many delaying upgrades, most UK drivers have a positive outlook on keeping their vehicles for longer than planned. A third (33%) describe themselves as resourceful, saying they’re making the most of what they have, while nearly a quarter (24%) feel proud to be getting the best possible value from their car.
For others, practicality outweighs emotion, with 27% saying that keeping their car is simply a neutral or practical decision. However, a small number admit to less positive feelings – 8% feel frustrated that they can’t afford to replace their car sooner, and 2% even feel embarrassed about driving an older model.
Claire Wills-McKissick, temporary car insurance expert at Tempcover, shares her thoughts on the costs, risks, and benefits of long-term vehicle ownership:
“Many drivers are choosing to keep their cars for longer than planned, often as a way to manage rising costs. Holding onto a car can make financial sense, helping households manage expenses, but it comes with trade-offs. Older vehicles often require more maintenance, can incur higher repair costs, and may carry safety risks – all factors drivers should consider when deciding whether to replace their car.
“Regular maintenance is key if you’re keeping a vehicle longer than planned. Routine checks on brakes, tyres, fluids, and essential components help prevent costly repairs and ensure your car stays safe on the road. Drivers should also weigh the benefits of newer models, including updated safety features, improved fuel efficiency, and modern technology, which can offer added peace of mind, cost savings, and environmental advantages.
“Temporary car insurance is a flexible solution for motorists navigating these decisions. It provides short-term cover for situations such as test-driving a potential upgrade, or keeping a replacement vehicle on the road while yours is being repaired.”
New cars are very expensive for the working man food gas electric water all take from you money so not much left for a new car witch is only new for 6 months
You miss the other reason. At my age (82) there will inevitably come a day when the medic says I can’t drive any more and Murphy’s Law says it will happen just as I bought a new car. No way. I’ll keep my old BMW.
Agreed, that is part of my reasoning also. I do not trust EVs because so many burst into flames and any minor bump could result in a write-off because of suspected but unseen damage to the very expensive battery.
The crazy ‘luxury car tax’ on new car values over £40k is a major reason !
Has anyone stopped to think that a 2nd hand car that cost over £40K initially has a VED of £600 for the first five years so a massive NO NO, my Passat 1.6TDI is £30 a year. There is no real incentive to go EV especially as there is a pay per mile tax on top. The Chinese car makers are going to clean up. Trad car makers will go bust, who wants a fault riddled JLR with a massive VED whena new Chery is £37K with a 7 year warranty. Go figure.
The survey should differentiate between company car drivers who regularly have car changes, PCP drivers who change at the end of contract and private owners who use their own money to buy a car. It’s the latter group who keep vehicles longer as often there is no real benefit in changing to a newer model, only extra cost and added complication.
I am entirely satisfied with what I already have, a 2017 BMW 320D. It gives me 52mpg on a long journey, and I can see no good reason to change it.
I’ve had my current MG3 for nearly 13 years, it only cost £10,600.00 new, which l considered great value, as a 82 year old retired automobile engineer, I am still capable of doing all my own servicing and preventative maintenance, so have no incentive to replace it in the foreseeable future! I have a full medical every year, which enables me to keep my competition licence and hopefully will prevent this current government finding loophole for anyone over 70 having their licence curtailed.🚗
I like my current cars. I have no desire to change them, and resent the govt trying to force me to do do. Also, Like other posters on this thread, I am not young and sooner or later may expire or have to stop driving. Poinless buying a new car, even if I wanted one – I don’t.
Many factors are involved for me. My car is 18 years old, but it does everything I want. I’m 76 years old and nobody knows when they will eventually have to stop driving. Why buy another car when you are happy with the one you have got? I can’t afford very much so anything else I bought would probably be more than 10 years old and I could end up with something that has major problems, whereas the car I have now I know well. I have had it 7 years and I keep it well maintained, so it could potentially have another 10 years in it. The last car I sold is now 25 years old and it is still on the road. My current car is not the most economical but what I would have to pay out to buy another one would keep this one going for many years yet.
I bought a brand new Peugeot 508 SW hybrid 4 years ago when I was 63 years old. I plan to keep it for the rest of my life so the ban doesn’t bother me. I very much doubt it will actually happen anyway and expect it to be scrapped by a change of government by 2029.
Surely 3/4 year PCPs are a major factor in changing cars!
Barely mentioned
My car is a Volvo V70 24 years old, I’ve had it 18 years now. only thing that’s went wrong with it in the time I’ve had it is the cooling fan module on the radiator which I replaced and rewired myself for 36 quid from a scrapyard. They just don’t build cars like this anymore. Cars today are just not worth that kind of money and I refused to pay it, they are also not build to last and poor value for money. If my Power steering rack goes wrong, I would still pay the £1000 pound to repair/replace it as its still far cheaper than buying a new car, I really don’t understand how so many people/family’s can afford to run two cars and keep a home and children etc, just crazy.
Why waste money on an EV, which have a lot of drawbacks, besides the distance they can travel to charging times and really don’t have the hp to tow a caravan or a loaded trailer, I think newer tech like Hydrogen or other fuels being developed will make EVs look uncompetitive and even obsolete plus because of the minerals needed for the batteries, they are not that environmentally friendly.
When you reach a certain age and on a fixed income it’s hard to change.
I love the driving position of the Mokka and it is worth more to me than its resale value.
I hate to be the one that says the age old cliche but they just don’t make them like they used to!! My car is 20yrs old with 250,000 on the clock, original engine +drivetrain with basic maintenance only, oh and it’s a land rover discovery 3! How many of the modern cars of the same calibre or any calibre for that matter are going to survive A. 20 years of service and B. 250,000 miles on the original engine and drivetrain? I can only really speak for land rovers myself but most modern ones either burn down or blow up well before the 100k mark and cost an absolute fortune for repairs due to poor (cost cutting) engineering practices So £ for £? IL stick to my old battlebus thanks.
In my opinion the peak of vehicle engineering was the between the years of 1998 – 2010, after that, cost-cutting and “mod cons” became far more important than keeping vehicle manufacturers name held in high regard for quality.
At 79 I am not sure how much longer I will be classed as fit to drive having been on the road for the last 60 years I have seen cars evolve faster safer and drivers push harder beyond their capabilities