Car buyers are prepared to travel an average of 48 miles to view and purchase a vehicle, according to research from Motors and Cazoo.
The latest Consumer Insight Panel surveyed 2,001 buyers and found only 10% would restrict their search to within a 10 mile radius.
Most are willing to travel further, with 15% prepared to go 11 to 20 miles, 17% travelling 21 to 30 miles and 18% travelling between 41 and 50 miles.
A further 17% would travel between 51 and 100 miles, while 11% said they would travel more than 100 miles for the right car.
The findings highlight a shift away from purely local purchasing behaviour, with buyers increasingly searching nationally for the right vehicle and retailer.
Willingness to travel varies by demographic
Men said they would travel an average of 51 miles compared to 43 miles for women. Buyers aged 25 to 34 are the most mobile at 49 miles on average, while those in the south west of England are willing to travel the furthest at 55 miles.
Lucy Tugby, marketing director of Motors and Cazoo, said: “Our Consumer Insight Panel reveals car buyers are prepared to travel to find the right car from the right seller, highlighting the importance for dealers to attract customers from outside their catchment areas.
“The days of mostly selling cars to local customers in a small radius are over. These findings highlight the need for all online advertising to be detailed, accurate and up to date to attract buyers no matter where they live.
“Furthermore, 11% of the buyers surveyed said they would travel over 100 miles for the right car, that’s more than those prepared to travel up to 10 miles.
“This reinforces the importance of dealer staff ensuring all customers are made to feel welcome because some will have made a considerable effort to visit the showroom.”