Yonder summary March 2026
The March 2026 AA/Yonder Motoring Panel was held between 13 and 19 March 2026 and received 13,631 responses from drivers and AA members.
In this survey
Used car purchasing
When choosing their next car, just over one-third (36%) said they were most likely to buy a manual vehicle, while a similar proportion (34%) would choose an automatic petrol, diesel or hybrid. Manual preference was highest among 18–24s (58%) and 25–34s (50%), and was more common among women than men (39% versus 33%). Fewer than one in ten (7%) said they were most likely to buy a fully automatic electric vehicle, rising to 10% among those aged 35–44. Less than one-fifth (17%) had no plans to buy another car.
Used car checks were common. Nine in ten (90%) would take a test drive, while eight in ten would check the service history (81%) and MOT record (80%). Around two-thirds (67%) would listen for abnormal noises, and three in five would check tyres for cuts and bulges (60%) and obtain a thorough history check (60%). Around half would check lights (52%), reviews (49%) and windows (48%).
Just over a third (35%) felt confident assessing a used car themselves, while 33% did not and 31% were neutral. Men were more likely than women to feel confident (45% versus 16%), while women were more likely to lack confidence (56% versus 20%).
Most panellists (73%) had not considered buying a used electric or hybrid vehicle last year. Among drivers who had considered one, the main factors were age and condition (22%), value for money (20%), range (18%), battery quality (15%) and brand reputation or prestige (13%).
Pothole damage
Nearly all respondents (97%) had previously struck a pothole on UK roads, almost always while driving a car (96%). Smaller proportions had done so while cycling (9%), driving a van (7%) or riding a motorcycle (5%).
Among those who had struck a pothole, half (51%) said there was no damage, just over a third (35%) reported damage and 14% did not know. For those whose vehicle was damaged, over a quarter (27%) faced costs of £101–£200, one in five (19%) paid £201–£300, and 15% paid £1–£100. A smaller proportion (7%) faced costs of £401–£500.
Most (77%) did not try to claim from either their local council or insurer. Around one in seven (14%) had unsuccessfully tried to claim from the council.
Engine idling
Just over a third (38%) said it was acceptable to leave a vehicle’s engine running while stationary in very cold weather to warm it up. This view was more common among younger drivers, including 56% of 18–24s and 51% of 25–34s, compared with 34% of 65–74s and 28% of those aged 75+.
A similar proportion (36%) said it was never acceptable to leave an engine running while stationary, rising to 46% among those aged 75+ and 40% among 65–74s. Around one-third (34%) said idling was acceptable when collecting or dropping off passengers, 31% said it was acceptable when waiting for less than a few minutes, and 11% said it was acceptable in very hot weather to keep the vehicle cool using air conditioning.
More than two-fifths (42%) often notice drivers leaving engines running while stationary locally, including 17% who see it very often and 26% fairly often. Three in ten (31%) notice it occasionally, 15% rarely see it and 9% were unsure.
E-scooters
More than half (56%) correctly thought privately owned e-scooters can only be legally ridden on private land. This rose to 66% in the East Midlands. By comparison, 8% thought privately owned e-scooters could be legally ridden on public roads in areas with government-approved trials, and 5% believed they could be used legally on public roads anywhere.
Three in ten (31%) did not know which statement best reflected current e-scooter laws, with uncertainty higher among women (38%) than men (27%).
Holiday intentions
Last year, one-third (34%) stayed in the UK for both their main holidays and short trips. Around three in ten (31%) went abroad for their main holiday and also took one or more short UK trips, while 10% went abroad for all holidays. Around one-fifth (22%) did not go on holiday, rising to 30% among those aged 75+.
For this year, one-third (35%) plan to stay in the UK for both main holidays and short trips, while 33% plan to go abroad for their main holiday and take one or more short UK trips. Around one in ten (9%) plan to go abroad for all holidays, and almost one-fifth (19%) do not plan to go on holiday, rising to 25% among those aged 75+.
Pollen filters
Three in ten (30%) did not know whether their car’s pollen filter had ever been changed, rising to 43% among women and 45% among those aged 18–34. A further 17% said they had never changed it and 14% could not remember.
Among those who recalled when the filter was last changed, 17% said within the past 12 months, with men twice as likely as women to report this (20% versus 10%). Around one in ten (9%) had changed it within the past few months, while 7% had changed it within the past 18 months and another 7% within the past six months.
Easter travel
For each day between Thursday 2 April and Wednesday 8 April, the most common planned driving distance was under 50 miles. Over half planned journeys under 50 miles on Tuesday 7 April (53%), Wednesday 8 April (53%) and Thursday 2 April (52%), while half (50%) said the same for Saturday 4 April. Just under half planned journeys under 50 miles on Good Friday (47%) and Easter Sunday (47%), and over two-fifths (44%) on Easter Monday.
Only small proportions expected to drive 51–100 miles, ranging from 5% to 6% across the Easter period. Fewer than one-fifth were unsure how far they would drive, including 18% for Wednesday 8 April, 17% for Tuesday 7 April and 16% for Easter Monday. Drivers were most likely to say they would not drive on Easter Sunday (30%), Easter Monday (30%) and Good Friday (29%).
Yonder summary February 2026
The February 2026 AA/Yonder Motoring Panel was held between 12 and 19 February 2026 and received 13,045 responses from drivers and AA members.
In this survey
Road conditions
Motorways received the strongest ratings for road surfaces, with two-thirds (67%) describing them as good. Around one in ten rated motorway surfaces as average (10%) or bad (11%), while 12% were unsure. Trunk roads were also viewed relatively positively, with around half (49%) rated good, 16% average and three in ten (31%) bad.
Main roads and residential roads were viewed less favourably. One-third (31%) rated main road surfaces as good, 15% average and just over half (54%) poor. Residential roads performed worst, with just over a quarter (26%) rated good, 15% average and 59% poor.
Road markings were rated better than surfaces. Three-quarters (74%) rated motorway markings as good, with 7% average, 6% bad and 12% unsure. Six in ten (63%) rated trunk road markings as good, 15% average and 19% poor. On main roads, around half (53%) rated markings as good, 17% average and 30% poor. Residential road markings were split, with two-fifths rating them good (41%) and the same proportion bad (40%), while 18% rated them average.
Among those expressing a view, more than eight in ten (85%) said improving road surfaces was important, and more than three-quarters (77%) said the same for markings. Two-thirds (67%) of those who prioritised surfaces said improvement was very important, while 44% said the same for markings. Around one in ten (13%) said improving surfaces or markings was unimportant.
Fuel Finder
After the launch of the Government’s Fuel Finder scheme, drivers were asked about refuelling habits. Two-fifths (42%) usually refill when the tank is around one-quarter full, while just over one in five (22%) wait until there is less than a quarter left. Smaller proportions refill at half a tank (15%) or wait until the warning light comes on or range drops below 50 miles (14%). Younger drivers were more likely to wait for the warning light or low range, including 25% of 18–24s and 34% of 25–34s, compared with 9% of 65–74s and 7% of those aged 75+.
Around two-fifths (39%) buy fuel once a fortnight, three in ten (31%) about once a month, one-fifth (20%) once a week and fewer than one in ten (7%) less than once a month. Younger drivers were more likely to buy weekly, including 36% of 18–24s and 34% of 25–34s.
When refuelling, two-fifths (40%) usually spend £40 or more, falling to 25% among 18–24s. Less than one-fifth (16%) usually spend £30–£39, one in ten (10%) spend £20–£29, and three in ten (31%) do not budget a set amount and pay for what they need.
Financial circumstances
Respondents were asked how they would cover an unexpected cost that needed paying within a few days. For a £500 cost, two-fifths (40%) would use their current account and 14% would use easy-access savings. At £1,000, more than one-third (35%) would use a credit card, 23% a current account and 19% savings. At £2,000, three in ten (30%) would use a credit card, 20% savings, 13% a current account and 12% did not know.
For larger costs, uncertainty rose. At £5,000, more than one in five (22%) did not know how they would pay, while 18% would use savings, 15% a credit card and 8% a personal loan. At £10,000, one-third (33%) did not know, 13% would use savings, 9% a personal loan, 9% other savings, 6% a credit card and 5% investments. For £15,000 and over £20,000, 38% and 42% respectively did not know how they would cover the expense.
Over a quarter (27%) had more than one year’s worth of basic living expenses saved, rising to 33% of those aged 65–74 and 35% of those aged 75+, but falling to 6% of 18–24s, 8% of 25–34s and 9% of 35–44s. Fewer than one in ten (8%) had no easy-access savings.
Fewer than a quarter (23%) owed money across more than one form of credit or borrowing, while more than two-thirds (68%) did not and 9% preferred not to say. Among those with multiple balances, one-third (32%) did not know the APR on most of their balances, rising to 39% among women and 29% among men. Nine in ten (89%) with more than one form of outstanding debt had never missed a payment, while 10% had.
Tyres
Eight in ten (80%) said they were aware of differences between budget, mid-range and premium tyres. One-third (34%) said they completely understood the differences and almost half (46%) had a basic understanding. Men were twice as likely as women to say they completely understood (41% versus 21%). Around one in ten (13%) had heard the terms but were unsure of the differences, and 6% were not aware of them, rising to 20% among 18–24s.
When estimating the cost of a typical replacement tyre, two-fifths (40%) guessed £50–£100 and over one-third (36%) guessed £101–£150. Fewer expected a tyre to cost more than £150 (16%) or less than £50 (4%).
Most respondents (87%) felt prepared for the unexpected cost of replacing a damaged tyre, including 48% who felt very prepared and 38% somewhat prepared. Older drivers were more likely to feel prepared overall, with 90% of those aged 65–74 compared with 70% of 18–24s. Fewer than one in ten (8%) felt unprepared.
Yonder summary January 2026
The January 2026 AA/Yonder Motoring Panel was held between 15 and 21 January 2026 and received 13,250 responses from drivers and AA members.
In this survey
Motorways
Two-fifths (43%) use motorways for a few journeys each year, while one-third (34%) use them a few times each month. One in ten (13%) make motorway journeys weekly, with smaller proportions using them on weekdays (3%) or every day (2%).
Most respondents (83%) felt safe and relaxed on motorways with a continuous hard shoulder. Confidence fell sharply where there was no hard shoulder: half (50%) felt nervous or anxious when emergency refuge areas were around 1.5 miles apart, and 46% felt nervous or anxious when the spacing was around 0.75 miles. Nearly half (47%) also felt nervous or anxious where the hard shoulder can be opened as a running lane at peak times.
Compared with three years ago, half (50%) felt less safe on motorways with no hard shoulder and refuge areas 1.5 miles apart, 48% felt less safe where refuge areas were 0.75 miles apart, and 47% felt less safe where the hard shoulder can be used as a running lane. Fewer than one-third (29%) felt safer on motorways with a continuous hard shoulder.
Middle-lane hogging was the most commonly observed behaviour (85%), followed by speeding (84%) and driving too close (84%). Undertaking (80%), changing lanes without signalling (79%), swooping (78%), tailgating (77%) and frequent lane changes in heavy traffic (74%) were also widely reported. More than half had seen drivers failing to pull out for merging traffic (59%), crossing chevrons after an exit slip road (54%) and using a handheld mobile phone (52%).
The M6 Toll was most often named the best motorway to drive on (11%), followed by the M5 (7%), M1 (6%), M4 (6%) and M40 (6%), though 28% did not know. The M25 was most often named the worst (30%), followed by the M6 (14%) and M1 (10%), while 24% did not know.
Road safety
Support was strongest for measures targeting illegal or dangerous driving. Almost all (95%) backed stronger penalties for issuing and using cloned, illegal or ghost number plates, and over nine in ten (92%) supported doubling fines for driving without insurance. A similar proportion (89%) supported saliva testing to prosecute drug driving, and more than four-fifths (83%) backed a zero-tolerance drink-drive approach for new drivers.
Eight in ten supported 3 penalty points for drivers who fail to wear a seatbelt (81%) and lifelong road safety education (81%). A similar proportion (80%) backed 3 penalty points and a £100 fine for drivers carrying passengers under 14 not wearing a seatbelt, while support was lower for passengers over 14 (72%). Around three-quarters supported mandatory eye tests every two to three years for drivers aged 70+ (78%), temporary licence suspensions for drivers accused of driving under the influence until court proceedings are resolved (72%), and setting a minimum number of learner hours before the practical test (72%).
Reducing the drink-drive limit in England and Wales to match Scotland was supported by 71%. Driver training updates, including a revised driving syllabus and updated motorcycle CBT syllabus, were supported by 69%, as was fitting alcolocks to cars of drivers who had previously received a drink-drive ban (69%).
Two-thirds (65%) supported making it easier for councils to install cameras to catch red-light jumping and introducing cognitive tests for older drivers, though 20% were unsure and 13% opposed these measures. Support for road safety targets was also positive, with 62% backing a 65% reduction in deaths and serious injuries by 2035, and 64% supporting a 70% reduction for children aged 16 and under. Fewer than 5% opposed either target.
More mixed views emerged on structural changes. Two-fifths (42%) supported a minimum time gap between passing the theory test and taking the practical test, while 25% opposed it and 29% were neutral. A similar proportion (41%) supported making it easier for councils to reduce speed limits, while 34% opposed this. One-third (34%) supported creating a Road Safety Oversight Board chaired by a Government Minister, with 21% opposed and 37% neutral.
Car maintenance
Routine servicing was the most common maintenance intention for the next 12 months, with nearly four-fifths (79%) planning annual servicing or oil changes. Around six in ten (61%) expected MOT-related repairs, while just over half planned safety-related repairs such as brakes, tyres and lights (53%) or seasonal checks such as winter tyres, battery or air-conditioning maintenance (52%).
Nearly half (47%) planned preventative maintenance to avoid breakdowns, while 15% intended to fix outstanding issues they had been postponing and 14% expected major mechanical repairs.
More than half (58%) said scheduled servicing usually prompts maintenance, rising to 61% among men and 65% among those aged 65+. Two-fifths (41%) are usually prompted by an MOT being due or failed, while 37% act when a warning light appears or a problem becomes noticeable. Women were more likely than men to be prompted by a warning light or noticeable issue (42% versus 34%).
One-fifth (20%) act following advice from a garage or breakdown provider. Smaller proportions are prompted by an upcoming long journey or holiday (13%), something going wrong (8%), winter (6%) or when they can afford it (3%).
Fuel Finder
The Government’s Fuel Finder scheme will allow drivers to see petrol and diesel prices at UK forecourts, with price changes shown within half an hour. Three-quarters (74%) were interested in comparing prices at their usual fuel station with others nearby, while over two-thirds wanted to see prices across different stations (69%) and know when stations change prices (67%). Over two-fifths (45%) would monitor fuel prices mainly out of interest, while 14% had no interest.
Almost nine in ten (88%) said they would likely buy fuel from a non-supermarket station if it was significantly cheaper, including 57% who were very likely to do so. Eight in ten (79%) said seeing local fuel prices would likely influence where they bought fuel, and 41% said this was very likely. Over half would travel slightly further for cheaper fuel (56%) or switch supermarkets if another offered lower prices (51%). Just under half (48%) would try to time fuel purchases based on price-change patterns, while only 10% would travel significantly further.
Three-quarters (76%) said most long journeys are for holidays, events or special occasions, while 21% regularly travel long distances from home. Six in ten (62%) said fuel prices along their route would be valuable, and over two-fifths (44%) said knowing prices in nearby towns would influence where they refuel. Among those for whom the question was relevant, one-quarter (25%) said fuel price information would be useful for their business, while 35% were neutral and 35% said it would not be useful.
Winter driving
Nine in ten (90%) said they leave more space between themselves and the vehicle in front in snow, ice, sleet or frost. Similar proportions drive more slowly (88%) and allow extra journey time (86%). Over three-quarters (78%) allow greater stopping distances, while seven in ten (71%) stick to gritted roads where possible.
Over half (59%) generally make fewer journeys in winter weather, and half (50%) take extra items such as warm clothing and hot drinks. Women were more likely than men to stick to gritted roads (78% versus 68%) and make fewer journeys (69% versus 55%).
Drivers also noticed changes in others. Over half (51%) said other drivers travel more slowly, while two-fifths (41%) felt fewer people use the roads overall. One-quarter (25%) said other road users leave more space and are less likely to tailgate, and 15% said others allow more stopping time. However, over a third (35%) had not noticed any change in winter driving behaviour.
Driving confidence
Respondents reflected on their confidence during the first six months after passing their driving test. Over three-quarters (78%) felt confident making local journeys under 30 minutes, compared with 57% for long journeys of more than two hours. Among the 16% who were not confident on long journeys, women were more likely than men to say this (27% versus 10%).
Almost three-quarters (73%) felt comfortable driving in residential areas, while 71% felt comfortable driving without passengers and 66% at junctions. Women were more than twice as likely as men to feel unconfident at junctions (15% versus 6%).
Six in ten felt comfortable on isolated roads (62%) and parking as a new driver (62%). More than half felt comfortable driving in towns or city centres (58%) and around vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians (56%). While 52% felt comfortable using motorways within their first six months of driving, over one in five (22%) felt uncomfortable, rising to 36% among women compared with 15% among men.