Why People Keep Their Used Cars Longer In The UK

Ever notice how your neighbor’s shiny new car makes your old ride look kind of ancient? Don’t worry, lots of folks are sticking with their older cars too.

In the UK, there’re 36 million cars cruising around. About 20% are seven to nine years old, and 18% hit the 10-to-12-year mark. Crazy, right? Almost a third—32%—are over 12 years old! Only 15% are babies under three years, and another 15% are between three and six.

So, yes, most cars—70%—on the road are seven years or older. The biggest chunk? Those 12-plus-year-olds rule the streets.

Why’s everyone holding onto their beat-up, trusty cars? Money’s tight in the 2020s. New cars cost, like, £44,000 on average this year. Imagine you’ve got a reliable old sedan worth just £4,000. Swapping it for a new one that costs 40 grand more? No way, not for most families. So, people keep their old cars running. And honestly, why not?

New-car sales are tanking. Back from 2015 to 2019, over two million sold yearly. But from 2020 to 2024? Way below that magic 2 million number.

Smart drivers get it—used cars are cheaper, reliable, and last forever. Who wants to pay £44,000 for an okay-ish new car? Not many.

The savviest folks buy older, decent cars with their own cash or savings. No crazy loans with high interest that jack up a £44,000 car to over £50,000. That’s not pocket change for someone earning a regular paycheck.

Some people are just fed up. My friends and family, who used to buy new cars all the time, say no thanks to these sky-high prices. They’re still loaded but won’t pay those ridiculous costs.
Instead, they roll with their “old, cozy, broken-in” cars that don’t cost much to keep.

Can you blame them? What’s the car industry doing to make new cars exciting again, like when prices made sense and didn’t scare buyers away?

At Hilton Car Supermarket, you can grab a vehicle for a fraction of the price of a new car.

Source: AutoExpress UK
Image: AutoCar UK