Rising Costs Prompt Nearly Half of UK Drivers to Rethink Car Ownership

A survey of 1,532 UK adults finds that 49% are questioning the value of owning a car as motoring expenses rise, and the same share would consider borrowing a vehicle instead.

A recent survey of 1,532 UK adults, commissioned by temporary-car insurer Covertime.com, reveals that 49% of drivers are doubting the worth of car ownership as overall motoring costs climb 7.1% annually and fuel prices surge 23% over the same period. The poll indicates that an equal proportion would entertain the idea of borrowing a car when needed, with London residents leading at 59%, followed by men (52%) and Gen Z drivers aged 21-30 (56%).

These attitudes mirror broader shifts documented by the Department for Transport, which notes that 22% of English households lacked a car in 2024, up from 21% in 2020, and DVLA figures showing the number of SORN-registered vehicles doubling from 2.03 million in early 2016 to 4.07 million in early 2026. Experts suggest the change reflects a reassessment of the full cost of ownership versus occasional use, prompting some motorists to sell vehicles and rely on shared mobility, public transport, or temporary insurance.

One respondent, Carly Skelton, sold her second car after rising expenses made it feel more like a luxury than a necessity, now sharing a vehicle with her partner and using alternative transport modes. The research underscores a growing willingness among UK drivers to explore flexible, on-demand car access rather than traditional ownership.