While we have all been effected by the recession in some shape or form, the true impact that the downturn has had on UK motoring has been laid out in a new report by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
With funds a lot tighter these days, British car owners are holding onto their vehicles longer than before, with the average motor now 7.44 years old, two months more than in 2011.
We are also now more likely to opt for a fuel-efficient vehicle according to the survey, with diesel cars now holding an all-time record 50.6 per cent of the market.
Meanwhile, there are fewer petrol cars in the UK than at any point since 1988, although the overall number of cars on the roads has increased by 0.3 per cent to 31,362,716.
If you can afford a car it is likely that you will benefit from better fuel economy, however, with the study also revealing that people are finding their shiny new vehicle offers 20 per cent improved efficiency compared to the UK average.
And if you were wondering, Ford and Vauxhall are named the two most popular manufacturers – with the Focus, Fiesta, Astra and Golf as the top four most-owned models.
