A new report from Carzone suggests that driving remains the most common way for people in Ireland to get around, especially in rural areas.
The 2025 Carzone Motoring Report combines data from 84 million searches on the platform in 2024 with survey responses from 1,000 motorists across the country. The data shows that 83 per cent of respondents who hold a driving licence use a car as their main mode of transport. By comparison, 31 per cent said they regularly walk, and 26 per cent use public transport.
The data also highlights a noticeable rural-urban divide. In rural areas, 91 per cent of licence holders said they mainly drive, compared to 79 per cent in urban settings. Leinster reported the highest use of public transport, with 38 per cent of respondents there citing it as their primary mode. No other province saw public transport usage rise above 20 per cent.
How do people in Ireland choose their cars?
When asked why they chose their current car, most respondents pointed to reliability. Other common reasons included wanting a newer vehicle and needing more space for a growing family.
What's stopping people from going electric?
Interest in environmentally friendly transport is growing, particularly among younger drivers. Nearly 70 per cent of respondents under the age of 35 said they would consider switching to a greener mode of commuting, compared to 59 per cent of those over 35.
The 25-34 age group also had the highest ownership of hybrid vehicles at 10 per cent, while hybrid ownership among other age groups remained under 7 per cent.
Still, barriers exist, particularly in rural areas. A lack of public charging points was cited by 34 per cent of rural respondents as a reason they haven't switched to electric vehicles.
In total, 32 per cent of all respondents said they plan to purchase a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or fully electric vehicle next. Hybrids were the most popular choice across all age groups, with 17 per cent saying it would likely be their next car, overshadowing interest in fully electric models.
How are buyers doing their research?
Classified websites continue to play a significant role in the used-car buying journey. Of those who access them, 65 per cent said they typically check two to three different sites before deciding.
Trust is key too. Ninety-five per cent of respondents said they are more inclined to buy a used car if it comes with a full vehicle history check.
How are car buyers managing costs?
Affordability is a major factor. Most respondents said they shopped around for a better insurance deal when buying their current car. A substantial portion also said they plan to fund their next vehicle with cash or savings, rather than relying on finance.
The full 2025 report is available at motoringreport.carzone.ie.