Carzone, the well-known used car classifieds site, has issued its 2025 Motoring Report, which highlights the major trends among car buyers in Ireland. The biggest news, potentially, is that almost one-third of drivers - 32 per cent - say that their next car will be at least partially electric, with that proportion looking to buy a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or a fully electric model.
Far larger second-hand market
That may seem in some ways like old news - after all, if you look at the proportions of new car sales so far in 2025, 53 per cent of buyers are choosing from some combination of electric, hybrid, or PHEV. However, the Carzone figure is far more significant than that as it doesn't just include new car buyers; it also includes used buyers, and the used market is far larger than the new car market.
Currently, the used car market is dominated by diesel-engined cars - 47 per cent of all cars on the road are diesel-fuelled according to Carzone's calculations - while petrol cars stand at 42 per cent. Meanwhile, seven per cent of respondents drive a hybrid, 2 per cent an electric, and 2 per cent a plug-in hybrid. Such a switch in buyer intentions would more or less triple the proportion of electrified cars.
'Shifting sentiments'
Martin O'Neill from Carzone commented, “This year's report reflects an evolving Irish automotive market, shifting sentiments towards alternative fuels and emerging innovations. Carzone has been at the forefront of car buying and selling in Ireland for over 25 years, bridging the gap between dealerships and consumers while providing valuable insights for those navigating the car-purchasing process. We're thrilled to continue this legacy with our latest report, designed to equip buyers and sellers across Ireland with the insights they need.”
What drives the purchasing decisions among Ireland's car buyers? Well, clearly, cost is a significant concern, with 33 per cent saying that it's their top priority, and, in this area, electric cars still have some work to do because, according to Carzone's survey, the top three barriers to EV adoption are expense (40 per cent), reliability concerns (31 per cent), and electricity costs (28 per cent).
However, EV enthusiasm remains strong among younger drivers, with 71 per cent of respondents aged 17-24 open to choosing a more environmentally friendly vehicle. Against that, respondents aged 65+ were the highest spenders, with 16 per cent of them spending between €30-40k on their current car.
According to Carzone: “With more affordable models arriving and charging infrastructure improving, EV adoption is expected to accelerate. Among current electric and plug-in hybrid owners, 85 per cent cite lower running costs as a key advantage - highlighting the long-term value EVs can offer.”
The next most important factor for buyers is reliability, with 18 per cent saying this was the most significant factor, although the fact that 34 per cent said that they made their most recent car purchase 'for greater reliability' might suggest that it's a far more significant factor than that.
Lower running costs
Twelve per cent said that running costs were important, and happily, for them, the amount we spend every month on our cars has fallen, from an average of €220 per month in 2024 to €212 per month now - not a massive drop, perhaps, but every little helps. Fewer respondents reported cutting back significantly on driving, though 38 per cent still reported moderate reductions due to fuel costs. Regionally, 67 per cent of Ulster respondents have reduced their driving.
Insurance remains a key financial concern, with 52 per cent of respondents reporting an increase in premiums (up from 47 per cent last year and 35.9 per cent the year before). Sixty-three per cent of respondents listed insurance as their top financial concern for car ownership, followed by fuel costs (60 per cent). Only seven per cent reported having no financial concerns with car running costs. Twenty-eight per cent of respondents reported an increased car-buying budget in the past year. Leinster respondents had the highest average spend on their current vehicle (€17.65k), while those aged 65+ were the highest overall spenders. When considering what car to purchase, 33 per cent prioritised price, 18 per cent focused on reliability, and 12 per cent on running costs. Among new car buyers, 34 per cent plan to pay with cash or savings. The 17-24 age group remains the least likely to purchase a new car, with only 17 per cent planning to do so.
Car buyers are still doing a great deal of research before pushing the 'buy' button - 65 per cent use two or three websites to compare options before purchasing.
The most-searched new models include the BMW 5-Series, Volkswagen Golf, and Hyundai Tucson. Among EVs, the Volkswagen ID.4, Nissan Leaf, and Tesla Model 3 dominated searches, while the Hyundai Tucson, Toyota RAV4, and Toyota Corolla were the most sought-after hybrids. In 2024, buyers frequently searched for cars produced between 2020 and 2022 priced between €20,000 and €25,000. Black was the most popular colour filter, hatchbacks were the most common body type, and automatic transmissions were the top searched feature.