As a nation of technology lovers, people in the UK are always upgrading to the latest model – whether that involves purchasing a new phone, new clothing, or a new car. That’s why it’s not surprising that according to Google’s ‘Car Purchasing Process UK’ report, almost 70% of British people own a car, with almost half of those (47%) purchasing their vehicle within the past year or two.
The same report also found that 53% of people in the UK were planning to buy a car within the next three years, with 20% planning to make the purchase even earlier – within the next six months. From these responses 48% said that their next car would be new, and 37% were planning to choose a used car instead. But how do Brits go about buying a car, and what does this mean for the automotive industry as a whole? We investigate with the help of used Mazda Cx5 dealership, Motorparks:
Making the decision to purchase
According to Google’s Drive to Decide report, one of the main factors in deciding to purchase a new vehicle is a change of lifestyle. The report reveals 28% buy a new car because their financial situation had improved, 12% because they had a new job, 11% because of expanding their family, 7% because they moved into a new home and a further 5% because of health or age reasons.
That doesn’t mean that British car buying habits aren’t influenced by more practical reasons, however. In fact, the report also revealed that decisions have be heavily influenced by new offers, vehicle launches and desires. 41% choose to buy a new car because they ‘need one’, 35% because they just wanted a new vehicle, 24% due to wanting better fuel efficiency, 20% because they notice a good offer or promotion and a further 11% as a result of a brand-new vehicle launch.
It’s common for people to find themselves buying a new vehicle every couple of years. Google’s reports highlight that car owners who bought their new vehicle more than two years ago are the group most likely to purchase a replacement vehicle in the next six months (30%) or between seven and 11 months time, with the most likely factor to influence the decision being typical car warranties running out after three years.
How has the market changed?
The car dealership market in the UK is thriving. From independent dealers, comparison website and private sellers, to franchise and manufacturer dealerships, the car supermarket is populated with a whole host of channels trying to get car buyers to buy their vehicle through them. And the market is evolving. The dealership still appears to be at the heart of British car buying habits, with the average auto buyer visiting the dealership 2.1 times, and having 1.3 test drives before making their purchase.
As the market continues to change, however, buying trends do too. Over a third (36%) of those looking to buy a car online in the coming years would choose an independent site. Manufacturer websites are only just falling behind, with 33% choosing main manufacturers.
The advent of newer, more advanced technology has influenced buying decisions too. Car buyers are increasingly starting their research for their new car on digital platforms – which could be one of the reasons why independent websites have now become more popular than official manufacturer websites. When beginning the car buying process, 51% of buyers now start their research online, with 32% using their smartphones to aid a ‘Which car is the best?’ moment. Digital has transformed the way buyers do their research before purchasing, and in some cases, has completely transformed how they buy a car – with 54% of buyers considering buying online either now or in the future. However, as it stands, the majority of purchasing (96%) still happens in-store.
Paying for the car
There are a variety of different ways to pay for your car. The majority of vehicles are purchased using personal savings – the Google ‘Car Purchasing Process UK’ report revealed that of those looking to purchase a car in the next few years, 59% said they would use their savings! Part exchange took second place, with 37% saying their part exchange would help fund their new vehicle. For many people, using the capital in their existing vehicle provides a sizable deposit for their next vehicle, deducting an amount from the value of the new vehicle.
Hire Purchase and Contract Purchase agreements were the two most popular ways to finance a new car according to the report. 13% of buyers said they would think about HP and 10% said they would consider PCP. Lease Purchase and Contract Hire only account for 6% of the market each. So, what makes HP and PCP more attractive to car buyers?
There are numerous benefits to paying for your car in stages. Finance agreements often make buying a car more affordable, with fixed monthly payments across an agreed period of time also coming with the option for people to purchase the vehicle at the end of the term by paying the remaining balance on the vehicle. For some car buyers, monthly payments are more achievable and affordable than paying for the vehicle outright with a cash purchase. Whilst analysing the methods of buying a new car, the Google ‘Car Purchasing Process UK’ report reveals further figures that prove the interest in finance options for car purchasing. Owners of new cars purchased in the last two years, as well as those planning to buy new in the coming three years, show strong interest in the use of PCP, PCH and lease purchase. Around a fifth (21%) of those who have bought new in the last two years would use PCP to pay for their next car, while 16% who plan to buy new in the next three years would use PCP.
Are you thinking of purchasing a new car in the next few years? Which factors influence your car buying habits? This discussion provides a lot of food for thought for both buyers and players in the industry.