Younger drivers less assured in car buying and ownership decisions, finds The Motor Ombudsman

Stark generational differences exist when it comes to buying and owning a vehicle with confidence, according to a Censuswide survey of 1,000 UK drivers, commissioned by The Motor Ombudsman.

The findings have been used to develop a series of ‘Car Confidence Barometers’ to illustrate how perceptions shift across different age groups each year.

The research reveals that nearly three-quarters (71%) of Gen Xers are most likely to seek assistance during this process, compared to around 67% of Gen Z and Millennials (Gen Y), and 66% of Baby Boomers, who tend to have more car-buying experience.

When deciding on the right fuel type, 84% of Baby Boomers feel confident that a petrol or diesel vehicle would best suit their needs, while this confidence drops to 76% among Millennials and 73% among Gen Z drivers.

However, younger generations are more assured when considering electric vehicles (EVs), with about 50% of Gen Y and Gen Z respondents confident in choosing battery power, although some hesitation remains.