62% of motorists have cut back on driving due to the cost of fuel, and motorists spend an average of €220 euro per month on vehicle running costs, according to a new report by Carzone, the online car marketplace.
In its 2024 motoring report, which is based on a survey of 1000 motorists and activity on the website, it finds 38% of motorists have or plan to reduce the number of cars in their households to cut back on costs.
47% of respondents said their car insurance premiums rose in the last 12 months, which is up 11% on the previous year.
According to the research, the main considerations for prospective buyers this year is price, followed by reliability, running costs, safety and brand.
In contrast safety is the number one concern for parents when choosing a car, followed by space, affordability and fuel economy.
Carzone says sales of diesel vehicles accounted for 47% of total sales last year, which is down 7% overall.
Sales of petrol vehicles meanwhile were up 1% to 37% overall, while there was a 6% increase in the sales of hybrids and EVs even though they accounted for just 16% of the market.
However, most drivers are looking at leaving diesel and petrol behind when it comes to purchasing their next car.
54% said they intend to purchase an electric or hybrid when it comes to next changing their vehicle, despite concerns about lack of chargers, expense, reliability and range anxiety.
Asked why they would buy a hybrid or electric car, 60% said it is better for the environment and 57% cited cheaper running costs.
Of last year’s car sales, the report shows 36% were through franchise dealers, 31% through independent dealers, 23% through private sellers and 7% from friends of family.
