New research suggests mounting motoring expenses are pushing millions of Britons to reconsider whether owning a vehicle remains affordable. Fuel prices, insurance costs and maintenance bills are among the main pressures cited by drivers, with many delaying repairs to save money.
The cost of running a car is becoming an increasing concern for drivers across the United Kingdom, with new research indicating that a significant proportion may abandon vehicle ownership in the coming years.
According to Turo’s Annual Car Ownership Index 2026, 23 per cent of British drivers are considering giving up their cars within the next five years. The findings point to growing financial pressure on motorists as fuel, insurance and ownership costs continue to weigh on household budgets.
The report comes at a time when fuel prices remain elevated. Recent tensions in the Middle East have contributed to higher oil prices, which have fed through to forecourt costs across the country. For many motorists, these rising expenses are becoming difficult to absorb alongside other everyday costs associated with owning a vehicle.
Fuel and Ownership Costs Emerge as Leading Concerns
According to Turo’s research, fuel costs were identified as the biggest challenge by one-third of drivers surveyed. The issue has become more pronounced following recent increases in oil prices linked to conflict in the Middle East.
Fresh figures from RAC Fuel Watch show that drivers are paying just under £1.60 per litre for unleaded petrol and 183.75p per litre for diesel. While diesel prices have eased slightly since reaching a peak following the Iran conflict in mid-April, petrol prices reached their highest level at the end of the month.
The financial burden extends beyond fuel. According to the survey, 26 per cent of motorists cited car insurance costs as a major concern, while an identical proportion highlighted the wider costs of ownership. The findings also suggest that potholes, long regarded as one of drivers’ biggest frustrations, have become less significant compared with direct financial pressures.
Commenting on the results, Rory Brimmer, Managing Director UK at Turo, said: “Britons love their cars, but the love of ownership is fading.” He added that many people are now planning for a future without a car because “the economics of ownership have become untenable for a growing number of households”.
More Drivers Delaying Repairs as Financial Pressures Grow
The report also highlights how motorists are responding to these financial pressures. According to Turo, 46 per cent of drivers said they had delayed or avoided a necessary vehicle repair during the past year. That compares with 27 per cent in 2025.
Delaying maintenance can lead to further financial consequences. Drivers risk failing their MOT tests and, in some cases, may invalidate manufacturer warranties if essential repairs are not carried out.
Mr Brimmer warned of the wider implications, stating that a poorly maintained vehicle is “not just an inconvenience, it’s a hazard”, adding that MOT failures and warranty issues become more likely when maintenance is postponed.
The study also found that 46 per cent of drivers oppose the Government’s planned ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030. Under current policy, new hybrid vehicles will continue to be available between 2030 and 2035, after which only zero-emission new vehicles will be permitted for sale.
For some motorists considering life without a personal vehicle, alternative transport models are becoming part of the discussion. According to Turo’s findings, nine per cent of respondents planning to give up their cars said greater access to car-sharing platforms would help them make the transition.
