Car owners in the North East of England are more likely than any other UK region to change their car regularly, potentially making them "every car salesperson's dream".

A study conducted by InsuretheGap.com found that 41% of car owners in the North East get a new car every two to four years, compared to a national average of 28%.  

Almost one-in-four (24%) buy a new car over a second-hand car to get that ‘new car’ look and feeling, even if it cost a lot more, compared to the national average of 19%, the reserach revealed.

Furthermore, one-in-three (36%) said that having a nice car is a status symbol, compared to the national average of 27%, suggesting that they are keen to get behind the wheel of a premium car. 

InsuretheGap.com’s chief operating officer, Ben Wooltorton, said: “Throughout our survey, the North East of England consistently came out as the region where people take most pride in their cars with very few people prepared to compromise when it comes to buying a new car, or 'making-do' with a hand-me-down.

“Interestingly, it was also the region that was least likely to be prepared to move away from traditional petrol and diesel cars. The region appears to be every car salesperson’s dream.”

The survey by Opinium of 2000 UK car drivers, commissioned by InsuretheGap.com, revealed that only 14% of North East car owners would make do with a hand-me down car, the lowest region, compared to a national average of 21%. 

It is also the region least likely to agree with the statement “I don’t care how my car looks, as long as it gets me from A to B” (32% North East v 42% national average).

The survey found that the heart rules the head for north-east car buyers when it comes to buying a new car (24% North East v 16% national average). 

The North East is also the region most resistant to more environmentally-friendly cars, with only 27% willing to consider an electric car for their next vehicle purchase (37% national average, compared to 49% London). 

Research was conducted online by Opinium research amongst 2,001 UK adults who drive and have owned a car between 10 – 15 January 2018.