A new year is approaching, which means many drivers will be looking to refresh their vehicle leases for 2026. From updating to the latest model to suit your family, to swapping over to an EV to reduce your carbon footprint, there are a wide variety of reasons you might be looking to replace your car in the new year.
For many of us, a new car brand can also be an exciting change. 93% of drivers say that they’d consider switching to a vehicle made by a new manufacturer that they’ve never tried before. Still, some brands inspire fierce loyalty in their owners, making them hesitant to try a new model.
To find out more about the UK’s leasing replacement habits, we surveyed more than 1,000 drivers to learn which brands make the most reliable cars on our roads, according to their customers, as well as identifying the brands with the most loyal customers, and learning more about the reasons why Brits are replacing their motor vehicles.
Here’s everything we learned from our data:
Which factors matter the most to drivers when choosing a new car?
Finding your ideal new car can be a tough choice, with a wide range of factors to consider before making a purchase. We asked our survey respondents what mattered most to them when choosing their new vehicle.
The primary focus for British car buyers in 2025 is reliability and durability, with 40% of our survey participants saying they prioritise looking for a long-lasting car that can withstand harsh conditions.
A durable car ensures that drivers won’t have to pay for a replacement shortly after buying, but it also helps to resist the diverse weather conditions we face across the UK. Plus, with road infrastructure issues like potholes plaguing some British streets, a reliable model is less likely to be damaged.
Cost and value for money ranked as the second most common influencing factor, with 29% of the UK’s drivers saying they focus on getting a good deal for their vehicle. With the high cost of living affecting the country, and car maintenance becoming more expensive than ever, many Brits are turning to cheaper options to save money for the things that matter most to them.
Safety and practicality rank as the third most popular factor when choosing a new car (13%), while in-car features and technology rank fourth (12%). Only 1 in 20 UK drivers says they prioritise the visual style and design of a car the most when choosing their ideal model.
What are the main reasons drivers switch car brands?
When it comes to switching car brands, money seems to be the main motivating factor for most Brits, as the cost-of-living crisis and rising fuel prices impact our finances.
Lower running costs rank as our #1 factor for making the switch to a different car brand, while lower initial costs or leasing prices follow closely behind, with 19% of participants listing each as their main reason for changing manufacturers.
Our data also shows that many drivers switch for lifestyle reasons, with 15% of respondents saying they would switch to a more practical brand. This may involve switching to a more efficient fuel type or selecting a model with ample space to accommodate large families.
SUVs are becoming particularly popular among parents, as their utility features and spacious interiors make them perfect for daily family life. While technology also plays a significant role in influencing many drivers’ decisions to switch to a new car brand, as 14% of those who took our survey say they want to take advantage of new technological features when choosing a new vehicle, while 9% are attracted by improved safety features.
Which brands are customers most loyal to?
While we’re seeing many drivers switch to new brands, some manufacturers are reliable enough that their customers continue to buy from them when looking for a new car. So, which brands on the market today have the most loyal customers?
Accoring do our internal renewal data, Cupra is the car brand that customers continue to use the most when buying new vehicles in 2025. 17.3% of Cupra owners stayed with the brand when purchasing their next vehicle, demonstrating that smaller, emerging brands can challenge household names in terms of customer loyalty.
Cupra are also known for its EV offering, which may explain its popularity, as 67% of our participants switched to electric or hybrid vehicles with their latest car replacement. With the UK government’s Electric Car Grant motivating more buyers to go electric than ever before, the companies that offer these options are likely to reap the benefits the most.
The car brand that our customers are second most loyal to is Seat, which owns Cupra. 16.9% of their customers say they stuck with the brand when replacing their last vehicle, suggesting they’re some of the most reliable cars on the market from a consumer perspective.
Toyota ranked as the brand with the third most loyal customer base, retaining 11.6% of customers who had recently switched to a different vehicle, while Kia (10%) ranks fourth in our data, and Nissan and Skoda are tied in fifth (8%).
Which brand are customers switching to the most?
Now that we know which car brands have the most loyal customers, which manufacturers are new buyers starting to turn to for their vehicles?
Again, Cupra comes out on top in our rankings, with 18.4% of our participants who switched cars recently saying they chose a model from the Spanish brand. This indicates that smaller brands are beginning to disrupt the automotive industry's status quo, demonstrating the company’s rapid rise in popularity.
Nissan is the second most popular choice for drivers looking to switch to a new vehicle. A mainstay of the market for many decades, the Japanese manufacturer offers a variety of reliable cars across ICE, hybrid, and electric ranges. 13% of our survey respondents who switched car brands recently report buying a Nissan to replace their old model.
Rounding out the top 3 is Vauxhall, which not only provides reliable cars but also some of the most reliable vans in the UK market. 12.2% of those who switched brands recently chose Vauxhall, according to our survey.
Electric and hybrid cars are gaining popularity, with more than two-thirds of British car buyers expected to switch to alternative fuel sources by 2025. Now more than ever, it seems crucial for older brands to adapt to the times and focus on this expanding market if they want to retain a loyal customer base.
Finding the right new car for you
Three in five car buyers stick to the same brand when replacing an old car, so manufacturers will do whatever they can to keep returning customers satisfied. However, as the automotive industry evolves, there are numerous obstacles that older companies must overcome.
Our Leasing Options spokesperson, Mike, says:
“Electric cars are here to stay, and as innovations are made to EVs, we’re likely to see considerable increases in customers for the brands offering the best deals and models in the field. If you’re looking to stay ahead of the curve when buying your next car, try some of Leasing Options’ special offers to see how much you could save on an EV. Leasing is an increasingly popular alternative to buying your car outright, so start browsing our range today to find your new dream car!”
