The era of the ‘boy racer’ style car is coming to an end, with Gen Z motorists shunning accessories like fluffy dice, bumper stickers, and headlight eyelashes.
A survey of 1,010 drivers found that 83% of younger drivers would not be seen with neon lights underneath their car, while only 9% would consider adding a spoiler or rear wing to their vehicle. Additionally, 80% believe that noisy exhausts that ‘pop’ at high revs are completely unnecessary.
In contrast, 38% of respondents said they would opt for a dash-cam to protect themselves while driving, and 28% would invest in a sturdy phone mount. Furthermore, 31% of younger drivers believe that a spare tyre or puncture repair kit is the most essential item for any car journey.
James Wilson, chief operating officer at used car marketplace Motorway, which commissioned the research, commented: “Our research shows that Gen Z is perhaps one of the more savvy generations of car owners, considering making smart upgrades to their car for practical or safety reasons, rather than wanting to turn heads on the street.
“My advice is to be mindful of the future value of your car when considering modifications. Additions like turbochargers, lowered suspensions and custom exhausts, can unfortunately lower the value of your car. Before making any expensive changes to your vehicle, consider whether the modification will reduce the pool of likely buyers in the future.”
A third (32%) of Gen Z drivers surveyed believe that enhanced security measures like biometric entry are the ‘next big trend’ in cars. Meanwhile, 17% anticipate that it won’t be long before drivers start reaping further benefits from AI-powered in-car assistants and voice controls.
Half of young drivers consider themselves as ‘very proud’ of their car, with the typical Gen Z driver splurging as much as £1,218 on modifying their pride and joy with various accessories.
Among those who take pride in ownership, the top reason is simply that it’s reliable and runs smoothly (30%). While 21% view it as a reminder of something they worked hard to purchase with their own money.
James Wilson, added: “For people who have been driving for a number of decades, it’s surprisingly easy to remember those first couple of years of car ownership. These memories are indelible, and millions out there will remember their first car or two with great fondness, perhaps even down to its registration plate and the modifications that made it memorable.”
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