Out of the 36 million cars on UK roads, only 15% are under three years old. Another 15% are between three and six. But here’s the real eye-opener: a massive 70% of cars are over seven years old, and nearly a third have been around for more than 12 years.
Basically, most of us are driving old cars and for good reason.
The cost of a new car in 2025 is around £44,000 on average. So if you’ve got a reliable old runner that’s worth maybe £4,000, the idea of swapping it for something that costs ten times more just isn’t realistic for most people. With high interest rates and the general cost of living through the roof, sticking with what you’ve got isn’t just practical, it’s smart.
New car sales have taken a big hit since 2020 and it’s no surprise. More people are waking up to the fact that used cars offer better value, hold up well, and don’t require you to take out a massive loan. That £44k price tag? Once you factor in finance and interest, it can easily hit £50k. That’s not the kind of money the average person should be spending on a new car, especially when many of them aren’t even that exciting.
And it's not just about money. There’s principle too. Plenty of people, even those who could afford new ones, are choosing not to. They’re sticking with their older cars out of protest against the inflated prices.
So if your current ride is a bit battered but still gets the job done, you’re actually part of the majority and maybe even the smarter crowd. The real question is: what are car brands doing to make buying new feel worth it again?
