Travel back in time 40 years or so and getting a car as a teenager was something of a rite of passage. By hook or by crook, the vast majority of young adults would have taken ownership of at least some kind of car by the age of 20.

Nothing particularly glamorous, but still – it was rare to come across a young adult who didn’t prioritise getting a car over just about everything else.

Since then, times have changed. Car ownership is no longer seen as a requirement or even a priority by a growing proportion of younger adults. And it’s a trend that’s estimated to continue indefinitely, eventually resulting in fewer people in the UK owning cars than they did in decades gone by.

But what is it about today’s society and lifestyle choices that’s taking the shine off car ownership? Particularly given how affordable and accessible car finance can be, why is it that more people aren’t taking the opportunity to buy and run a car?

The Growing Popularity of Car Sharing 

For one thing, more people are getting into the whole car sharing trend than ever before. This is where a company distributes a fleet of vehicles around a town or city, which can then be used on a per-mile and/or per-minute basis by anyone who signs up for the app. The idea being that you’re usually within easy reach of a car when you need one, but don’t have to contribute to its upkeep…or pay for it. You simply pay for the journeys you make and nothing more.

Changing Attitudes to the Environment

It’s also becoming apparent that many younger adults are making the conscientious decision to avoid unnecessary journeys by car. At least, in the sense that where convenient and affordable public transport is available, there’s no real incentive to pay for a car. Public transport standards have improved exponentially over the years, meaning it’s no longer an all-out sacrifice to take the bus or train to work. Depending on where you live, it can actually be far quicker to take public transport than attempt to drive yourself.

Digital Conveniences

Then there’s the fact that it’s no longer necessary to make a great many journeys that were once more or less mandatory. These days, anything and everything you need (or want) to buy, you can order online and have delivered to your door. Popping to the shops is now as simple as pulling the phone out of your pocket and placing your order – heading out by car to traditional stores is something of a dying practice.

Working from Home

Last up, experts also believe that the fact that more people than ever before are working from home is contributing to the decrease in car ownership. If it’s only necessary to commute to work on an occasional basis or not at all, it might not be necessary to own a car. Again, particularly given the alternatives available – quality public transport, car sharing and so on.