Cap HPI says some car manufacturers now see average returns of vehicles bought new in 24 months.

And there is evidence of a growing number of 18-month leases in the market.

Car manufacturers are managing volumes in the used market by varying contract lengths by model and remarketing channels.  

Philip Nothard, retail and consumer specialist at Cap HPI, said: “What we are seeing is the ‘iphonification’ of the car industry as consumers increasingly pay to drive rather than pay to own their vehicles. 

“It’s the same model as the mobile phone industry where people are comfortable paying a monthly fee – only they are now doing this with their vehicles as well as their  mobiles.”

The growth of personal contract purchase (PCP) and other finance options is having a profound effect on the motor industry and we are now seeing consumers changing their motor vehicles more often than household objects such as bedding and their mobile devices. 

Personal contract hire (PCH) is also on the increase, as consumers look towards usership rather than ownership. 

Cap HPI estimates that around 80% of new car sales are on finance.

“Not so long ago it was fairly common for motorists to have their cars for a minimum of five years or longer but that has now changed dramatically and dropped to just two years for millions of motorists.

“After buying a house, the car was usually the biggest outlay for most consumers but now they are far more likely to change their car more often than their mattress.

“Consumer demand remains strong in the used car market and there are lots of used bargains waiting to be snapped up.

“As PCP becomes more popular and accessible in the used market, motor dealers expect its use to double in the future so we’re going to see people changing their cars with increasing regularity.”