The car, an object that is still essential for most French, but is increasingly expensive. This is what arises from a study by the insurer Leocare* in which 74% of respondents believe that the car is now similar to luxury.
A dear car to buy … and use
In recent years, the average price of cars has gone. Last year it was just over 36,000 euros for a new vehicle. In the second -hand market, the average price is finally returned below 20,000 euros this year, after a pricing rambón after the pandemic.
In this context, 50% of the French say they have already resigned to buy or replace a vehicle for lack of means. Enough to promote the aging of the car fleet, with an average age that exceeded 11 years in 2024, against just over 10 years in 2017.
Beyond the purchase of a car, Leocare’s survey also indicates the perceived expense as the heaviest in this automotive budget of the French: maintenance and potential repairs for 36% of the respondents, but they also feed for 25% of them, therefore, they are above the purchase or financing of a vehicle, seen as the main spending for 24%.
A budget that can reach the salary of three months per year
A little more than 6 out of 10 French people believe that their car represents between 5% and 20% of their monthly expenses, which can be between one and three months of salary per year, I will estimate. Taking worry: to deal with a repair, 1 in 5 drivers has already had a loan.
Others adjust the costs in terms of insurance: 33% of drivers have already reduced their guarantees and 9% have renounced any coverage, when 16% are thinking of doing it without it. Recently, the Victims Guarantee Fund (FGV) had reported an increase in the number of accidents caused by a driver without insurance or unknown.
An essential “luxury.”
However, it is difficult to make a cross in these expenses: 63% of the French consider that the car is essential and 54% do not plan to do without daily, whether to work, make their purchases, look for their children or go to a medical appointment.
Among the other solutions planned to move: 44% evoke public transport and 27% soft mobility, such as cycling or scooter. More than a third (33%) are categorical by explaining not to see any credible alternative to the car. A use of the car that, therefore, would go back more by restriction than by conviction, summarizes Leocare. Given this increase in the expenses associated with the car, 42% of the French say they have reduced their daily trips, 32% have already postponed or canceled a maintenance of the vehicle considered non -urgent and almost 15% made certain repairs for themselves.
A feeling of aggravation of automotive precariousness against which public policies seem helpless. Almost a third of the French consider that the aid also focuses on the 100% electric car, seen as financially inaccessible despite the devices such as social lease.
*Methodology: Study conducted by Leocare, in association with Ecurv, from July 3 to 7, 2025, with a sample of 1,000 people representative of the French population 18 years or older, according to the quota method
Source: BFM TV
