Used cars 'more expensive' to run
New data has revealed that it is now more expensive to run second-hand cars than new vehicles, with annual costs for used models averaging 2,744 pounds.
At 2,219 pounds, the average cost for running a new model was much less, mainly due to lower maintenance expenses.
Owners pay an average of 787 pounds on maintaining used cars, compared with just 366 pounds for new models, the cost-of-motoring index from breakdown service RAC showed.
Despite annual running costs for new cars falling 5 per cent this year from the 2008 average, a survey by the same firm indicated that 80 per cent of motorists felt annual costs had increased.
The drop has been attributed to a fall in fuel prices - petrol and diesel are now 10 per cent and 14 per cent cheaper than last year respectively.
A fifth of the 45 per cent who have made changes to their car ownership habits this year have got rid of their second car, the index found.
Around 28 per cent of drivers are using their car less and 6 per cent are downsizing their vehicles, but 26 per cent said they could not afford to buy a smaller model or reduce car ownership.
The index also revealed that two in three who have changed vehicle ownership will not revert once the economy revives.
Copyright © Press Association 2009
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