The latest Motors Consumer Insight Panel, which polled the views of 2,000 consumers, found that 47% of car buyers expect to buy a car before the end of 2025.
A further 17% are currently searching or planning to buy before the end of March.
Lucy Tugby, marketing director of Motors, said: “Our first Consumer Insight Panel of 2025 reveals the appetite among decision makers to buy their next car within 12 months is stronger than it was last year.
“Whether this reflects increased consumer confidence remains to be seen, but following an extended period of economic uncertainty, this is positive news for dealers making stocking decisions.”
In addition, 52% said they preferred to sell their existing car to a dealer. Buyers living in Scotland and the south-west of England are prepared to travel the furthest (50 miles) to find the right car.
Tugby said: “The research also highlights the importance of pricing to market as buyers are prepared to travel an average of 44 miles to purchase a car they have seen online at a price they are prepared to pay.
“Dealers play a key role in the buying and selling process, remaining the first port of call for owners when selling their existing cars, highlighting the importance of offering competitive trade-in values to secure purchases and access used car stock.”
Only 23% of consumers said they would consider private sales and 12% would consider specialist car buying services.
Over a quarter (27%) of those polled expect to buy a car within the first half of the year while 24% are expecting to buy in 2026 and 12% plan to buy in 2027.
Buyers most likely to purchase a car within 12 months are men (52%), 25-34 year-olds (58%) and those with household incomes over £60,000 (52%).
