LOADS OF GREAT DEALS ON SECOND HAND CARS SPECIAL FEATURE - PAGES 53-58
CORK motorists have seen an increase in their car running costs in the last year according to the latest Motoring Report from car buying experts Carzone.
The bi-annual report which examines trends in the Irish motoring market finds that 63% of motorists say their running costs have increased in the last 12 months with 30% stating they spend upwards of €250 per month on keeping their vehicle on the road.
The Carzone Motoring Report is compiled by analysing data from the 77 million+ searches carried out on Carzone from January to June of this year, as well as an in-depth survey of 1,600 Irish motorists.
According to the Carzone Motoring Report, 38% in Cork intend to buy a car in the next year. The key reasons for buying a new car are that they simply wanted a newer or more reliable car or they needed a larger car to accommodate a growing family.
Over half (55%) have considered buying a car from the UK. However, 39% say that the biggest deterrent to car shopping in the UK is that it’s too much hassle.
While most cars are still purchased in dealerships or private sale, motorists have become more open to buying a car outright online. Almost 3/5 (59%) say they would pay up to a €1,000 deposit online for a car while 16% would be open to paying for a car in full online.
The main reasons for not buying a car online include the risk involved and the desire to see and test drive the car before making a purchase.
New to the report this year is a section on families and cars. Starting a family is often a key catalyst for changing a car. When asked what the most important factors are for parents in Cork when choosing a car, cost and safety were the key decision factors (39% and 34%). 16% say that the size of the car impacts their choice. When it comes to purchasing a family car, it’s a joint decision for over half of those questioned (58%).
The Carzone Motoring Report also finds that parents in Cork spend a lot of time in their car with 52% stating they spend more than two hours a day driving their family around.
Although 40% of those polled in Cork would travel for more than two hours to purchase a car, it seems that where that car is from is important. Indicating that county pride is alive and well among Irish motorists, over a third (37%) say that they prefer to buy a car with a registration plate with the county they are from. In fact, so important is the registration plate to motorists that 34% claim that registration plates from different counties impact the value of the car!
Given that many motorists in Cork are reporting a rise in running costs, it’s no surprise that 48% of those questioned say cheaper running costs is their number one incentive for making the switch from petrol or diesel. Being kinder to the environment was the second most popular reason (38%).
Commenting on the latest report, Karl Connolly, Audience Manager Carzone said: “Our latest Carzone Motoring Report is our tenth edition which looks at all aspects of Irish motoring.
“Insurance premiums which have been a top concern for a number of years are still the key issue impacting motorists despite the fact that many of those questioned have seen their premiums decrease or remain the same.
“We are also seeing a shift in attitude towards electric and hybrid cars over the last few years as motorists get to grips with alternative fuels and the benefits they bring. Our latest report shows that 84% now know what electric and hybrid vehicles are and almost two thirds are planning to make the switch in the near future.”