Nearly half (46%) of all in-market buyers are expected to visit a car showroom in the next two weeks, according to the latest research from What Car?.

Following the re-opening of showrooms in England and Wales, What Car? surveyed more than 3,000 in-market buyers to find out how soon they are planning to visit their local dealership, and what their intentions are.  

The research revealed that 29% are looking to go to a showroom “as soon as I can” while 17% are expecting to visit a dealership within one-two weeks. This means nearly half of all in-market buyers are set to visit a showroom in the next two weeks. 

Rachael Prasher, managing director of What Car?, said: “The past few weeks have seen consumer activity pick up in the market, and our latest research shows buyers are now set to return to showrooms in significant numbers. With consumer trust in dealers high, and a high percentage looking to purchase a car or test drive a vehicle, this is an ideal start for the industry as it looks to recover from the effects of the pandemic.” 

The majority (42%) of those going to visit a showroom are doing so to buy a car, which points to a busy few weeks ahead for dealers.

A third of buyers will visit to test drive a car they’re interested in, while 12% are looking to negotiate a price or a finance package.

Dealerships reopening has been an important achievement for the industry, as 59% of buyers said it was “very important” for showrooms to reopen, as they would not buy a car without a visit to their local dealer.

Just 6% of buyers felt showrooms reopening was not important to them.

Car buyers also confirmed they are comfortable visiting their local dealership, with 96% trusting showrooms will be run in a Covid-safe way.

Younger buyers are expected to drive a surge in car sales in the coming weeks, accroding to an Auto Trader study. It found that almost two-thirds (61%) of 17-24-year-olds plan to spend their lockdown savings on a new car.