Kwik Fit: Pandemic has prompted car purchasing

Data released by the UK car industry throughout the pandemic has shown the negative impact of Covid-19 on sales of new and used vehicles, but new research shows the figures could have been worse. A study for Kwik Fit (carried out by Opinium among a nationally representative sample of 2003 UK adults) indicates that as 3.8 million drivers said Covid-19 caused them to put off a planned car purchase. However, this was partially offset by the fact that 3.2 million drivers were prompted by the impact of the pandemic to buy a new or used car.

The majority of these car purchases were made by younger drivers, with 16 per cent of drivers aged 18-34 saying the pandemic prompted them to get a new car. This compares to 1.2 million drivers aged 35 or over, just four per cent of these motorists.

Kwik Fit’s research examined the reasons behind the pandemic purchases and found that one-third of buyers said they were able to get a better car than they otherwise would have because the prices were reduced. Three in ten prompted by the pandemic into a car purchase said they had a new job which required more travelling and so they bought a better car.

Many shunning public transport

One reason given by many is a worrying sign for rush hour traffic levels. 24 per cent of those buying a new car because of the pandemic said Covid had prompted them to get a better car as they will be using it more for commuting to avoid public transport. Holiday or weekend travel was in the minds of other drivers, with seven per cent saying that as a result of the pandemic they have bought a car more suitable for going on domestic holidays or staycations.

The last fifteen months have placed a huge burden on many people’s budgets. Kwik Fit found that while one-fifth 18 per cent of the drivers who bought a new car because of the pandemic say they thought they could get a good deal as prices were reduced, the same proportion said they opted for a cheaper car because of the financial pressure caused by Covid.

Good news for those eager to see the back of ICE vehicles – 30 per cent of those who said they’d bought a new or used car because of the pandemic chose a hybrid or fully-electric model, far outstripping low-emission vehicles’ percentage share of all new and used car purchases.

More drivers will reassess car requirements

“Like so many sectors the automotive industry has been going through a very tough time during the pandemic,” comments Roger Griggs, communications director at Kwik Fit. “Our research shows that some drivers were badly impacted by Covid while, for a variety of reasons, other drivers were prompted by the pandemic to buy a new vehicle. As we come to the point where restrictions are almost fully removed, people will be settling into new travel patterns or re-establishing old ones and we expect to see even more drivers assessing whether their current car is the right one for their ongoing needs.

“Whether switching to a new vehicle or keeping an existing car, regular maintenance is always key to efficient and trouble-free motoring, so it’s important that drivers build maintenance and servicing costs into their motoring budget.”