An online survey by Autotrader has revealed 1.6 million UK drivers have traded in their large vehicles for smaller, more fuel efficient cars.

The motoring website discovered 60% are also considering doing the same thing.

Of the 3,300 people who took part nearly 60% had changed the way they drive to work to save fuel due to the perceived cost of owning and running a car.

The survey showed 85% drive more smoothly, one quarter use a less congested route to work, 15% get a lift with colleagues while 2% are using cooking oil to run their diesel engines.

Nearly half said their next car would more than likely produce less CO2 than their current vehicle and one in five motorists are considering buying a hybrid.

About eight million drivers may buy a bio-fuel car.

Year-on-year searches on the Autotrader website for city cars and superminis has increased.

It revealed people looking for Ford Fiesta’s and Citreon C2’s was up 12%, Vauxhall Corsa 8%, Citreon C1 7%, Toyota Yaris 7%, Toyota Aygo 3% and Fiat Panda 2%.