Nearly half of UK drivers (46%) cite the festive journey home as their favourite road trip of the year, but six in 10 (61%) reveal they’re considering reducing Christmas miles due to the cost-of-living

● 42% agreed there is a great atmosphere on the roads in the lead-up to Christmas

● A further six in 10 (61%) said driving somewhere for Christmas gets them into the festive spirit

● Nearly a third (31%) agree traffic and delays bother them less at this time of year, reveals new research from CarStore

More than half (61%) of car owners say that ‘driving home for Christmas’ (or to their holiday destination) gets them into the festive spirit, according to new research from CarStore. Despite motoring being more challenging than ever this year – thanks to rail strikes, delays, roadworks, and adverse weather – nearly half (46%) of UK drivers still pick heading home for the festive season as their favourite road trip of the year.

The study also revealed drivers are as reliant on their motors as Santa is on his sleigh; with more than half (54%) planning to head out in their cars this Christmas period. A further 48% will use theirs to visit family and loved ones, and a quarter (26%) to get to festive parties and events. But the driving doesn’t finish on the 25th; just under a fifth (17%) plan to hit the road on New Year’s Eve too.

The survey was conducted for CarStore by Censuswide among 5,051 UK adult car owners over the age of 18 and who currently drive. This comprehensive look at Yuletide trends also revealed three in 10 (30%) strongly believe playing Christmas tunes makes the car journey that bit more enjoyable. Women drivers are the biggest fans of a festive song when behind the wheel, with nearly two thirds (65%) of females confessing how they love to blast them out while in the car. Less than half of men (46%) agreed, though. One in 10 car owners even put Christmas songs on their ‘naughty list’, happily stating they hate to hear festive tunes on their travels!

The CarStore findings also showed how nearly a third of drivers (31%) agreed traffic and delays bother them less during the festive season. This could be thanks to a friendlier mood at this time of year - perhaps due to Christmas classics on the radio, festive light displays, or friendly gestures from other drivers - with four in 10 (42%) believing there’s a nicer atmosphere on the roads!

However, the cost-of-living crisis and high fuel prices are denting Christmas cheer. A quarter (26%) said they definitely plan to cut back on the miles they will be driving over the Christmas and New Year period, with just over a third (35%) saying it was now a consideration for them. This was especially true for those aged 25-34, with 63% agreeing they would in some way be reducing their journeys for the same reason, with half (52%) of those aged 55+ agreeing too.

And although the cost of electricity is at record levels this year, festive displays of lights and decorations continue to play a key role in people’s festive happiness. Seeing Christmas lights while driving makes three quarters (75%) “feel good”, while nearly a fifth (18%) described how they drive to see their neighbourhood’s lights every year.

Across the UK regions, Welsh drivers are most likely to stick to the annual tradition of driving to see their local Christmas lights (21%), however four in 10 (43%) in Yorkshire and the Humber admitted they never do. Two thirds (66%) of over 55s also aren’t fans of heading out in the car to catch a glimpse of the lights and said they never bother, as opposed to just 17% of 16-24s.

CarStore’s Rob Miller said: “It’s been another challenging year for many, with the cost of living hitting headlines and families having varied concerns, from national strikes to adverse weather this Christmas. So, we were heartened to hear that so many are still enjoying the little things that make this season feel so special - from enjoying local festive lights, listening to Christmas tunes during

a family car trip, to the cheerful atmosphere on the road when enjoying the best road trip of the year - the drive home for Christmas!

“At CarStore, our number one priority is driver safety on the road, all year round, no matter their budget. We strongly advise all drivers to keep up to date with their vehicle maintenance through the year, and carry out essential checks to their car, like lights and wiper fluid, before setting off anywhere this Christmas, to avoid any mishaps on the road. Drivers can visit the CarStore website for more expert advice on maintaining their vehicles this Christmas - but sadly, we can’t advise on Sleighs… yet!”

You don’t need to compromise on the things that matter most when researching or shopping for a new used car. CarStore’s trained Personal Advisors offer impartial advice to all its customers. All vehicles on sale through CarStore go through an approved 123-point inspection, comprehensive background checks, and a road test by expert technicians.

Other festive findings on UK drivers include:

1) Seven in 10 (71%) parents with children under 18 believe playing Christmas music makes the journey more enjoyable

2) When it comes to mileage cutbacks over Christmas and the New Year, due to the cost-of-living crisis or high fuel prices, BMW drivers (71%), Mercedes drivers (68%), and Audi drivers (66%) were most likely to agree they would reduce their miles

3) Vauxhall drivers (65%) are the most likely of the car brand owners to love blasting out Christmas songs in their car

4) Those in North-East England and Northern Ireland topped the regions with two thirds (66%) in each saying that Christmas music gets them in the mood

5) 1 in 10 (10%) bah-humbugs strongly disagreed that playing Christmas music makes the journey more enjoyable

6) Of those driving for Christmas, a fifth (21%) will be travelling 10 miles or less, with 72% on the road for up to 50 miles, and 15% in the car for journeys of more than 100 miles

7) More than half (54%) in Greater London believe people are jollier when driving at Christmas

8) More than a third (35%) of those driving somewhere for Christmas said they would avoid motorways and take the scenic route, even if it took them longer

9) Of those driving for NYE, nearly half (48%) will be making a journey of less than 20 miles

10) Yet drivers from Edinburgh are the least likely to feel Christmassy on the roads, with a third (37%) disagreeing that the roads have a festive ambience in the lead up to the big day

-END-

*Research was conducted between November 3rd and 8th 2022 by Censuswide among 5,051 UK adult car owners over the age of 18 and who currently drive. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society which is based on the ESOMAR principles and are members of The British Polling Council.

About CarStore

CarStore is Pendragon’s market-leading used vehicle offering providing a unique hybrid customer interaction model which seamlessly blends digital and physical locations to create a car-buying experience that revolves around customers’ needs. Consumers have the flexibility and freedom to buy, sell, or service their vehicle in a way that works best for their individual lifestyles.

CarStore Personal Advisors provide informed and impartial guidance at every stage of a consumer's buying, selling, or servicing journey whether that’s online, over the phone or in-person at CarStore Experience Centres and CarStore Direct locations nationwide.

All vehicles on sale through CarStore go through an Approved 123-point inspection, comprehensive background checks, and a road test by expert technicians. All vehicles are provided to customers with a 90-day limited warranty as standard and a 14-day no-obligation trial with a money-back guarantee.

Visit www.CarStore.com to find out more, search current vehicle stock, and find details of the nearest CarStore Experience Centre.

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