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UK motorists surveyed for Tempcover’s 2026 Car Buyers’ Report said they spent an average of £17,555 on their most recent car, down from £19,703 in the 2025 survey—a difference of £2,148. These are respondents’ self-reported figures, not an independently measured average of car transactions across the UK.
What the survey figures show
Coverage of Tempcover’s 2026 report says 2,000 motorists took part. The reported average spend on respondents’ latest cars was £17,555, compared with £19,703 in the 2025 survey. The £2,148 difference is the arithmetic between those two survey averages.
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| Survey result | Reported figure |
|---|---|
| Average spend on respondents’ most recent car, 2026 | £17,555 |
| Average spend on respondents’ most recent car, 2025 | £19,703 |
| Difference between the reported averages | £2,148 lower in 2026 |
| Respondents in the 2026 survey | 2,000 motorists |
The two surveys do not establish that the same people were surveyed or that their methods were identical. The full 2026 methodology was not available in the coverage, so the figures should not be treated as a national price index or proof that transaction prices across the market fell by the same amount. No inflation adjustment or cause for the change is established.
What respondents bought and what shaped their choices
Among respondents’ most recent purchases, 39% were reported as approved-used cars and 37% as brand-new cars. Those figures describe the survey responses, not the UK market’s overall sales mix.
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When asked what mattered in choosing a car, respondents most often named:
- Price: 52%.
- Reliability: 43%.
- Practicality: 37%.
The findings suggest a useful way to compare options: consider the purchase price alongside reliability and how well a car fits your needs. The survey did not test or rank individual models, so it cannot identify which car offers the best value.
Why the lower average does not mean every buyer spent less
The overall average can move even if some groups spend more. For example, coverage reports that respondents aged 55 to 64 spent an average of £16,603 in 2026, up 7.5% from £15,449 in the 2025 survey.
Affordability responses also need their denominators kept clear. One account says 21% of respondents felt their latest car was harder to afford than their previous one; among that group, 45% cited higher vehicle prices and 44% cited cost-of-living pressures. Separate coverage says 44% of respondents cited cost-of-living pressures as a reason for spending less, while 17% pointed to higher insurance and 16% to higher finance or interest rates. These are differently worded findings and should not be combined into a single explanation for the average change.
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How to use the figures when shopping
The survey is a snapshot of reported spending and priorities, not a target price for your next car. Build your own comparison around the costs and checks that matter for the vehicle and your circumstances.
Compare the whole purchase, not just the asking price
- Set a budget that includes the costs of owning the car, not only the amount paid to buy it.
- Compare shortlisted cars for reliability and practicality as well as price, the three factors most often named by respondents.
- Check that the specification and condition suit your use; the survey does not establish that approved-used or new cars are better value for every buyer.
Check a used car before committing
For a used vehicle, the guidance summarized in coverage recommends checking its MOT history and service history, inspecting it in person, and looking for faults during a test drive. Arrange suitable insurance before driving a car you do not own, including for a test drive or collection.
These checks are practical buying steps, not findings that the survey tested. A favourable survey average cannot replace checking the specific car you are considering.
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