1 in 7 UK drivers have considered getting rid of car because of Pandemic

Almost one in seven (14 per cent) UK drivers have considered getting rid of their car because of the pandemic (17 per cent men and 11 per cent women), rising to one in three (35 per cent) of under 34s.

According to a new survey of 2,000 UK drivers by InsuretheGap, a provider of Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) insurance, over half (56 per cent) say they do not need a car as much as they did before the pandemic (53 per cent men and 59 per cent women).

Working from home is the reason that 40 per cent of drivers aged 65 years and under say they have less need of a car, rising to 58 per cent of under 34s.

Drivers are also thinking about down-sizing their vehicles, with over a quarter (26 per cent) saying their next car is probably going to be smaller.

However, 73 per cent of drivers say having a car is still a necessity, and avoiding public transport is an important issue for 61 per cent of drivers (59 per cent men and 63 per cent women).

Whilst drivers might not be using their cars as much, almost a third (29 per cent) still wash their car regularly (34 per cent men and 24 per cent women). Under 34s (41 per cent) are the most likely to clean their cars, compared to only 25 per cent of the over 55s.

Ben Wooltorton, chief operating officer of InsuretheGap.com, said: “Cars sitting idly outside homes has caused many of us to revaluate our car usage with some considering selling their cars or downsizing. However, for the vast majority having a car is still a necessity for their day-to-day life and particularly when we’re being encouraged to avoid public transport.”