Safe Speed Forums

The six ages of driving
You can tell a lot about a person by the car they drive, but how does the car we choose change as we get older?
A new study by insurance expert elephant.co.uk, has revealed the most powerful cars are driven by motorists in their 60s, the most expensive cars are driven by motorists in their 50s and the newest cars are driven by motorists in their 30s.
elephant.co.uk analysed data from over 1.5million drivers to see what cars motorists in different age groups drive and how our choice of car changes with age. The company looked at the most popular vehicle for each age group and worked out the average age, value and engine size to reveal the typical car for different aged drivers.
The study showed motorists under 20 are most likely to drive a seven year, five month old car with an average engine size of 1315cc and valued at £2,987. But this changes to a six year, nine month old car with an average engine of 1598cc and £5,022 in value for drivers in their 20s.
Motorists in their 30s were found to drive a six year, five month old car with an average engine of 1841cc, £7,237 in value and stick to a similar but more expensive and powerful car in their 40s; a six year, seven month old car with an average engine size of 1902cc, valued at £7,271.
Motorists in their 50s will drive a six year, nine month old car with an average engine of 1917cc and valued at £7,506 but when they reach their 60s, this changes to a seven year, six month old car with an average engine of 1947cc, valued at £6,589.
Brian Martin, managing director of elephant.co.uk, said, "Our research shows just how the type of car we choose changes as we get older. It’s rather unsurprising to see younger motorists driving cheaper, less powerful cars but to see the over 60s driving the most powerful cars is more of a surprise. Hopefully their driving experience means they’re well placed to handle cars with larger engines."

The study also revealed marked differences between the sexes. Across all age groups men tend to have older but more powerful cars than women. Except in the under 20s age range, men’s cars are also more expensive than their female counterparts. However male, teenager drivers seem to choose an older car with a bigger engine.

AVERAGE AGE OF CAR BY AGE
Age Group Overall Men Women

Under 20 7 years, 8 years, 7 years,
5 months 1 month 1 month

20 - 29 6 years, 6 years, 6 years,
9 months 7 months 3 months

30 - 39 6 years, 6 years, 6 years,
5 months 8 months 1 months

40 - 49 6 years, 6 years, 6 years,
7 months 7 months 4 months

50 - 59 6 years, 6 years, 6 years,
9 months 11 months 6 months

60+ 7 years, 7 years, 7 years,
6 months 6 months 2 months
Issue date: 12-03-09