Drivers face an eye-watering price surge in the petrol car market, with the average list price having risen from £27,036 in 2015 to £45,218 in 2024. If the price had risen at the rate of everyday inflation, it would cost just £36,225 – almost £9,000 less. The staggering price increase has raised questions about the affordability of new cars, particularly for city drivers who may struggle to afford the higher prices. The issue is not just about affordability; it’s also about the rising costs of car maintenance and repairs, which are being driven by the increasing demand for anti-pollution measures and advanced safety features. According to Phil McNamara, Editor at Large at Auto Express, the surge in prices can be attributed to the changing mindset of Europe’s car makers. “Everyone wants safer, greener cars, but who’s going to pay the price of progress?” McNamara said. “Suddenly, you couldn’t get city cars or superminis – it was SUVs or nothing.”
  McNamara explains that the “chips crisis” and the subsequent shortage of semiconductors led to a significant change in the way car makers approached production. “Covid-19 interrupted the status quo of Europe’s car factories churning out more cars than there were customers,” McNamara said. “Semiconductors became headline news, with a ‘chips crisis’ meaning manufacturers could only build a finite number of cars, so they focused on expensive, higher-margin models such as SUVs and EVs to help meet emissions targets.”
  The emphasis on SUVs and electric vehicles (EVs) led to a shortage of affordable options for city drivers, who are often looking for reliable and efficient vehicles. The situation has become even more challenging for drivers who need to replace their cars regularly, as the cost of maintenance and repairs is also on the rise. One motorist expressed frustration with the rising costs of car maintenance and repairs, citing the need for anti-pollution measures and advanced safety features as a major contributor to the problem. “What happened to basic cars without the bells and whistles?” the driver asked. “Years ago, if you pranged a wing or scraped a bumper, one could go to the scrapyard and just replace it. Now, it’s not that simple – the cost of repairing or rebuilding a car is much higher due to the increasing number of safety features and advanced technologies.”
  Another driver refused to pay the extra costs associated with newer cars, opting to run their current vehicle for longer. “I refuse to pay the extra costs, I instead will run the car I have for much longer,” the driver said. “Cheaper to rebuild the engine when needed.”
    

  Despite the high prices, some car manufacturers have managed to maintain sales figures by focusing on higher-margin models such as SUVs and EVs. The emphasis on these models has led to a shift in the market, with more affordable options becoming scarce. As the situation continues to evolve, drivers need to be aware of the rising costs of car maintenance and repairs, and consider the implications of the changing market trends. The crisis has raised questions about the affordability of new cars, particularly for city drivers who may struggle to afford the higher prices.

      “It’s a tough time for drivers, but it’s also a challenge for the industry to innovate and provide affordable options for consumers,” said McNamara.

  The situation is unlikely to improve in the near future, with the industry likely to continue focusing on higher-margin models such as SUVs and EVs. As a result, drivers need to be prepared for the rising costs of car maintenance and repairs, and consider the implications of the changing market trends.