29 Jan 2026
More than half (52%) of consumers say saving for unexpected “rainy day” expenses is the most significant confidence factor stopping them from swapping their used car in 2026.
February’s Startline Used Car Tracker also shows 41% feel high inflation in recent years has left them feeling wary, 34% think taxes are rising quickly, 31% believe the economy no longer grows in the way it once did and 30% that it might crash at any moment.
Furthermore, 29% say their wage increases aren’t keeping pace with price rises, 22% their finances haven’t been good since the pandemic and 16% their job feels less secure.
Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline Motor Finance, said: “Research we undertook in January showed dealers believe low consumer confidence is the biggest single factor stopping motorists swapping their car this year. We wanted to get a deeper insight into how potential car buyers are feeling and these new responses paint a vivid picture.
“What we are seeing is a large proportion of people feeling financially battered and bruised by the financial events of the last few years. It’s clear that the high inflation seen in the early 2020s has left them deeply wary of what might come next and the majority are choosing to save for a rainy day rather than look for a new vehicle.
“You can feel a lack of trust in their attitudes. It’s notable that around a third believe the economy could simply crash at any moment, even though it is probably more stable now than at any point in recent years. How long it will take for these feelings to ease is very difficult to predict but they are unlikely to change overnight.”
The Startline Used Car Tracker is compiled monthly for Startline Motor Finance by APD Global Research, well-known in the motor industry for their business intelligence reporting and customer experience programs. This time, 301 consumers and 62 dealers were questioned.