With the arrival of the new ‘74’ vehicle registration just around the corner, confidence in buying and owning a vehicle is driven by generational differences.

A Censuswide poll of 1,000 UK drivers commissioned by The Motor Ombudsman has revealed wide variations from Bay Boomers Generation Z.

The latest findings have also been used to create ‘barometers’ to highlight how the dial can shift every year between age groups.

1. ‘Gen X’ refers to those aged between 43 and 58
2. ‘Gen Z’ refers to those aged between 18 and 26
3. ‘Gen Y’ / ‘Millennials’ refers to those aged between 27 and 42
4. ‘Baby Boomers’ / ‘Boomers’ refers to those aged between 59 and 77

Blind to buying

With the growing choice of makes and models available to motorists, and with cars often being the second most expensive purchase after a home, going it alone and navigating the car buying process solo from start to finish may prove a daunting prospect for some.

On this subject, nearly three-quarters (71%) of Gen Xers would be the most inclined to enlist the helping hand of others.

They are followed by around 67% of Gen Z drivers and Millennials (Gen Y), and 66% of Baby Boomers.

The latter group may have more car-buying experience than their peers.

Sparking a journey

Fuel types also significantly affect buying and owning confidence, especially in our environmentally charged times.

Research shows 84% of Boomers would feel safe knowing that a petrol or diesel-powered model would best suit their needs.

This compares to 76% of Millennials and 73% of Gen Z drivers.

However, when acquiring an electric vehicle (EV), the tables turn, with Gen Yers and Gen Zers leading the charge in terms of being the most self-assured.

Around 50% of respondents in these generational groups have the peace of mind that adopting pure battery power would be the ideal method of propulsion.

However, there is a little more hesitation in these groups with forgoing a traditional combustion engine.

In addition, confidence in getting behind the wheel of an EV falls to around a third (34%) for Gen Xers, and to about a fifth (21%) amongst those aged between 59 and 77.

Understanding the points

Taking the time to do research is viewed as a critical first step in the car-buying process.

Gen Z are considered the ‘digital natives’ and ‘iGeneration’; they have a greater tendency to rely on social media to stay up to speed with the latest products, advice, and tips, to help decide ‘what’s hot’ and ‘what’s not’.

However, according to one in ten Gen Zers (10%) and 11% of Gen Yers, misinformation on digital platforms negatively affects self-belief when buying a car.

Conversely, with Boomers more akin to using traditional media to do their research, their confidence appears to be more stable.

It is far less influenced by what is being published by users through these prominent online platforms, with just 2% of respondents in this generational group relying on them.

Sales patter

Then there is the negotiating cycle when buying a car, new or second-hand.

Gen Z do not feel confident negotiating price with a salesperson, with the same applying to around two-thirds of Gen Xers (68%) and Millennials (67%).

This contrasts with their older peers, where 39% of Baby Boomers would be happy to barter, to help drive an even better deal.

Looking for help

So what would be top of the wish lists in order to give ‘Car Confidence’ a lift?

Almost a quarter (23%) of Gen Z drivers have called for more information on the car buying process and to help select the right car according to their needs (compared to just 5% and 8% for the over 59s).

Furthermore, almost a fifth (19%) of Gen Z drivers said they needed help steering them in the right direction of a trusted retailer.

Older counterparts require the least assistance to identify a reputable seller, using experience and personal experience.

Life on the road

Beyond the car buying journey, the study equally revealed that basic car care skills were not as high up on the agenda amongst the young.

It found that 66% and 71% of Gen Xers are happy to check the oil and air pressure in their tyres themselves, versus just 40% and 42% for Gen Z when it comes to these respective tasks.

This is despite the inclusion of ‘Show Me, Tell Me’ into the practical driving test.

Gen Z might be tempted to call the ‘Garage of Mum and Dad’ for help.

However, The Motor Ombudsman’s research found this resource is dwindling.

Results show that 89% of their parents’ generation, Gen X, said they were not confident diagnosing and troubleshooting common car issues.

Nearly a third (30%) of Gen Xers agreed that modern cars need to be simpler for the average driver to understand.

This puts garages and their mechanics in the driving seat amongst all generations.

Baby Boomers rely most on expert advice (57%), followed by Gen Xers at 47%.

Furthermore, a third (33%) of Millennials and 31% of Generation Z respondents said they consult online videos and tutorials to ‘be in the know’.

This contrasts with perusing in-car manuals and documentation supplied by vehicle manufacturers (29% for Gen Yers and 21% for Gen Zers, respectively).

Do you research

Bill Fennell, Chief Ombudsman and Managing Director of The Motor Ombudsman says the research shows a significant “generation gap”.

“Younger drivers, on the whole, tend to feel less self-assured in their car buying and ownership decisions compared to their older and sometimes more experienced counterparts.”

Fennell continues: “It is clear that, while living in a world where so much information is at your fingertips, the sheer volume of content can be overwhelming. Helping to plug the generation gap with valuable motoring knowledge that will enable them to navigate their driving journey with independence and confidence is therefore crucial.

“On this note, anyone who feels that their ‘Car Confidence’ needs a boost should actively seek out The Motor Ombudsman’s comprehensive and impartial library of information covering the car buying and ownership experience and call on the expertise provided by reputable accredited businesses in our growing UK-wide network.”