Consumers continue to be fixated on cost when it comes to choosing their next car, according to research from Motors.co.uk, despite the end of the recession.

When asked what factors are taken into consideration when making a decision about a car purchase, 73% of consumers consider the fuel efficiency of the vehicle. This was closely followed by the cost to insure the vehicle, selected by 66%, and the cost of the vehicle tax, chosen by 56% of those surveyed.

Almost a fifth of consumers take into consideration the eventual re-sale value of the vehicle, while more than three fifths are aware of the depreciation of the model they are looking to purchase.

Dermot Kelleher, director of marketing and business intelligence at Motors.co.uk, said: "We all know that price is an important factor when it comes to making such a high-value investment.

"However, it is interesting to note that consumers are now a lot savvier when it comes to the whole life cost of a vehicle - not just the forecourt deal."

After cost, the next important factors identified in the research were practicality-based; with consumers considering factors such as the vehicle's safety reviews (36%) and the number of seats (35%). The aesthetics of the vehicle itself feature lower down the survey results, with only 22% of consumers considering the colour of their next car.