Over 17 million drivers are ditching their cars

Over 2 MILLION Brits drive less than ONE HOUR a week 

Wagonex reveals Brits burning thousands as they leave their cars at home 

·       2.1M drivers use their cars less than ONE HOUR per week 

·       A THIRD (33%) of drivers are ditching their cars to keep fit 

·       Over 1.6M drivers could spend an average of around £6,000 a year on their car 

·       9% of men will leave their car at home rather than fixing it 

 New data from leading car subscription service Wagonex reveals that 2.1M drivers are using their car for less than one hour per week, while over 1.6M¹ Brits could be spending an average of around £6,000 a year on their car – 18% of the average full-time UK salary².  

 New data reveals 9% of men would prefer to leave their car at home rather than fixing it, compared to 5% of women, while 53% of women travel less than four hours on the road, compared to 44% of men.  

 A growing number of UK motorists are also making conscious decisions to leave their car at home. Reasons include to save money on petrol (42%), keeping fit (33%) and reducing unnecessary journeys (29%). 

 The survey of 2,000 UK drivers also revealed that millennials were most likely to leave their cars at home, with 53% choosing to do so in order to save money on petrol, compared to just 30% of those over the age of 65.  

Wagonex data reveals top 5 UK regions driving the least: 

1.     South West 

2.     East of England 

3.     South East 

4.     East Midlands

5.     West Midlands 

 It’s no secret that the upkeep of a car can be expensive. The survey revealed the average car owner believes they spend just over £2,000 on this each year, including insurance, leasing costs and fuel fill ups. According to the RAC, the average cost of an MOT and repair is £327³ alone, while the average cost of a service is £205, and fully comprehensive car insurance is £412.  

 5% of drivers surveyed reported not using their car at all – they could be risking fines of up to £80 for not declaring their car as off the road with a SORN; a statutory off road notice. SORN is a legal requirement to notify the DVLA if you want to keep it off the road, leave it uninsured even for a short period of time or if it’s not taxed. 

 Given the new data, Wagonex is now encouraging people to consider whether or not owning a car full time is right for them, particularly if their household has more than one car.  

 Wagonex founder and CEO Toby Kernon says of the findings: “Driving trends are changing, and we’re seeing an increasing number of Brits using their car less frequently. The pandemic and subsequent rise in hybrid working, alongside an increased collective eco-consciousness seem to have all played a part in Brits using their cars less often than they used to.  

 “With this change in behaviour, car owners need to ask themselves if owning a car full time is necessary for their lifestyle. While it has previously been the norm to own or lease a car, is it still appropriate in 2023 when lifestyles and financial outgoings have changed so significantly?  

 “Car subscription is becoming an increasingly attractive and modern option for people to access a vehicle for a specific period of time, without the long-term commitment of owning or paying for a car when you don’t need to. It’ll be interesting to see how car usage changes over time, as more Brits seek flexible and hassle-free options.”