Drivers of hand-me-down cars are more than twice as likely to be involved in accidents

• New research reveals that drivers of hand-me-down cars are 123 per cent more likely to be involved in accidents than other motorists
• One in three (32 per cent) hand-me down car drivers have received points on their licence at least once compared to one in four (24 per cent) normal drivers
• One in five drivers in the UK (17 per cent) currently drives a hand-me-down car (six million people)
• A red Ford is the nation’s most handed down car
   

An investigation by Privilege DriveXpert into the link between hand-me-down cars and driving ability has revealed that people who drive hand-me-down cars are more than twice as likely to be involved in accidents (major or minor) than those with a new car. In fact, when hand-me down car drivers are involved, the average number of accidents leaps from 2.6 per driver on average to a staggering 5.7; an increase of 123 per cent.

Similarly, hand-me-down car drivers are 25 per cent more likely than other drivers to have points on their licence (32 per cent versus 24 per cent), and 18 per cent more likely to receive a speeding ticket (33 per cent versus 27 per cent).

The study of 1,368 UK drivers also revealed that one in two (46 per cent or 16.2 million people) have inherited a car at least once in their lives, with 25 the age at which people are most likely to start driving a hand-me-down car. However, hand-me-down car ownership was found to be most common amongst those in their 30s (36 per cent), with those aged over 70 revealed as the least likely generation to drive an inherited car (three per cent).

When it comes to the ownership chain, people are most likely to receive a hand-me-down car from their dad (33 per cent), followed by their mum (15 per cent), and, perhaps more surprisingly, a friend (11 per cent).

Of those questioned, one in five (17 per cent) currently drive a hand me down vehicle – the equivalent to six million people in the UK. The nation’s hand-me-down cars are most likely to be red (18 per cent) or dark blue (12 per cent) and a Ford (27 per cent) or Vauxhall (10 per cent).

The hand-me down capitals of the UK are Cardiff and Edinburgh, with 23 per cent of drivers currently driving a hand-me-down. Sheffield has the least hand-me down vehicles on the roads, with just one in 12 drivers there (eight per cent) owning a vehicle that they have received from a friend or family member.

Yet, despite the number of hand-me down cars on our roads, it seems these drivers aren’t in it for the long run, with the average length of hand-me down car ownership coming in at just 2 years and 8 months.
 

Hand-Me-Down Car Capitals

Source: Privilege DriveXpert

Charlotte Fielding, Head of Privilege DriveXpert comments: “Everyone remembers the hand-me-downs they received growing up; everything from oversized school uniforms to old football boots, and even cars. Hand-me-down cars are a staple of British culture, with one in five motorists currently driving one. 

“However, the higher instance of accidents amongst these drivers is a worrying statistic, especially given that 29 per cent of hand-me-down car drivers are aged 25 and under, and therefore likely to be more inexperienced than other drivers.

“Our DriveXpert telematics policy allows drivers under 25 to monitor how safe their driving is via an online portal. It analyses things like acceleration, speed, braking and cornering, and ultimately awards a score based on how safely or otherwise a person drives. We’d recommend that all eligible younger drivers look into a policy like this, as it not only encourages safer driving, but also rewards safer drivers with lower insurance premiums.”
 

ENDS
 

For more information, please contact: Fran Langdon or Georgia Andrewes at Richmond & Towers Communications:
 

fran@rtc.london / georgia@rtc.london / 020 3179 0720
 

Notes to Editors

Research carried out amongst a nationally representative sample of 1,368 UK drivers by Opinium Research between 9 and 12 January 2018.

Some city statistics indicative due to low sample sizes.
 

Privilege

Privilege Insurance specialises in car insurance for safe drivers. It also offers home insurance and breakdown cover by phone or on-line.

Privilege general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Privilege and U K Insurance Limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.  

Customers can find out more about Privilege’s products or get a quote by calling 0345 246 0515 or visiting www.privilege.co.uk