The current economic situation has forced families across the UK to be more prudent with their spending, affecting a range of business, especially the car market, as many families who used to purchase a second car beginning to opt out.

With few sales in the second hand car market, prices were dramatically reduced for the cars to sell.

According to latest reports on the car sales market, a new trend has begun emerging in the UK, as most people choosing to sell their family car and choosing to rent a car for family outings.

Hire cars are now being sought for occasional trips to the zoo, weekends away and Christmas shopping trips.

Many families are satisfied with the decision, as it provides them with peace of mind for the extra mileage that their car is not driving, as this doesn’t decrease the value of their car on the used car market.  Also, a rental car has far better fuel economy and is easy on the hip pockets and can be beneficial in the long run.  Car rental firms are excited by the prospect of more customers in the foreseeable future.

Car hire firm Europcar has said that about 68 per cent of respondents in a survey had already used a hire car for an excursion or a long trip in the UK this year.

About 49 per cent said that they have altered their driving habits, with 73 per cent saying they would make use of a hire car in the coming year.

Many customers are also opting to sell their car and make use of per-day car hire, known as car sharing, which can provide an cost effective and convenient alternative to regular car hire services, particularly for those who require hire cars for the short-term or on irregular occasions.