Poll results hint at improved new car sales in 2020

The UK car market should see improved sales in 2020, according to results of polls conducted by Carbuyer and sister site Auto Express on behalf of BuyaCar.co.uk. Over 3,000 people took part in identical polls run on the two websites about whether the election result and the acceleration of the Brexit process had affected the likelihood of them buying a new car.

According to the poll, one in six motorists thinks that the outcome of the general election and an end to the political debate about leaving the EU has given them enough reassurance to consider buying a new car in 2020.

Driving in Europe after Brexit: everything you need to know

From a total of 3,275 respondents, a total of 15% confirmed they are more likely to go ahead with plans to buy a car in 2020 as a result of the election. A total of 24% of respondents who were already researching their next car said they would now be more willing to buy.

A previous story reported by BuyaCar.co.uk in March 2019 revealed that Brexit uncertainty was the top reason given by people who were delaying buying a car for two years or longer. The most recent poll results suggest that there has been a significant change of attitude from potential car buyers following the outcome of the general election.

Christofer Lloyd, Editor of BuyaCar.co.uk, said: "As we have been reminded almost daily in the news over the past couple of years, Brexit uncertainty has been deeply damaging to consumer and business confidence. So this research suggests that a lot of pent-up demand is about to be unleashed now that the question has been decisively settled.

“We also saw an increase in visits to BuyaCar.co.uk in the final week of 2019 in contrast to a year ago when traffic slowed down between Christmas and New Year, which suggests that consumers are stepping up their car buying research earlier than usual.

"The car industry has had a torrid time since the 2016 referendum and although our own sales of used cars have continued to grow, the new car market in particular has been consistently falling. From this research it seems clear that, wherever you stand on Brexit, an end to uncertainty may be just the thing to unleash buyers back into the market."

James Batchelor, Editor-at-Large of Auto Express and Carbuyer, said: “The uncertainty surrounding Brexit has affected the car industry as a whole but consumer confidence has been hit particularly badly, with new car buyers holding off purchasing their next car. This research is very revealing as it backs up our own view new car buyers will be more keen to part with their cash in 2020.

“Combine this Brexit effect with many manufacturers offering hugely tempting deals and there might never be a better time to buy a new car. Many car firms are under pressure to shift high polluting cars as quickly as possible in order to avoid hefty financial penalties. And with cleaner, more electrified cars set to appear in their droves in the coming months, the new car landscape will be very different by the end of the year.”

Planning on buying a new car in 2020? Why not read our buying tips for everything you need to know.