A survey suggests Gen Z is increasingly turning away from car ownership, choosing instead to spend money on holidays, self-care and daily treats such as iced lattes. This marks a generational shift away from car ownership as a rite of passage, with many young adults viewing vehicles as a practical tool rather than a status symbol, favouring flexible access over outright ownership.

The poll of 1,000 adults aged 18 to 29, commissioned by short-term insurance provider Tempcover, found 27 per cent are unlikely to buy a car within three years, while 47 per cent compare cars to household appliances like a vacuum cleaner. Priorities cited instead included mental health days and self-care (27 per cent), eating out or takeaways (23 per cent), technology upgrades (19 per cent), and speciality coffees such as iced lattes (11 per cent). Around a quarter would rather pay to access a car only when needed, likening it to a streaming subscription, and 18 per cent believe their generation is less interested in car ownership than previous ones.