Parking predicaments - one in six garage owners struggle to park due to car size

Our new research reveals that more than a quarter of UK garage owners (28%) hardly ever park their car in their garage amid concerns about car size and parking. This trend reflects a broader challenge for your Personal Lines customers as cars continue to grow in size, parking safely is becoming more difficult, leading to an increased risk of bumps, scrapes and claims.

What were the key findings?

• More than a quarter (28%) of UK garage owners hardly ever use their garage to park their car¹
• More than a fifth (21%) find it difficult to park in their garage and 16% believe their car is too big
• Half (52%) of drivers have bumped or scraped their car while parking more generally and a fifth (20%) struggle to parallel park
• Analysis reveals that cars have grown by 22% over the last 20 years²
• Our claims data reveals bumps and scrapes accounted for 8% of all claims in 2024³
      

Although more than a third (38%) of UK drivers have access to a garage, 42% prefer to park on their driveway. More than a fifth (21%) say their garages are difficult to park in and 16% believe their car is too big, which could in part explain why two-thirds (66%) use their garage primarily for storage instead.
 

Separate analysis finds that the average car size has increased by 22% over the past 20 years². This trend could possibly influence future choices, with a third (33%) of drivers stating that they'd be discouraged from buying a larger vehicle.

The research also reveals that some drivers struggle to park more generally, with over a third (34%) attributing this to a lack of confidence. A further 29% feel pressured by other drivers and 23% say past parking mistakes have impacted their ability. The findings also suggest a growing dependence on technology to assist them with parking, with one in six (16%) blaming the absence of parking sensors or rear cameras in their car for their difficulties.
 

According to the data, drivers are most likely to drive into:

1. A wall (16%)
2. A bollard or lamp post (both 11%)
3. A parked vehicle (10%)
4. A fence or bush/plants (both 9%)
5. A garage (8%)

In almost half of cases⁴ damage was cosmetic (49%). However, such incidents have also led to damaged bumpers (39%), damaged headlights (17%) and knocked wing mirrors (15%).
 

Supporting the view that bigger cars may be more difficult to park, four in 10 (41%) misjudged the distance, and 23% thought the area they were trying to squeeze into was too small. A further one in 10 (11%) said they were still adjusting to their new car and its size.
 

However, a further 23% also weren’t concentrating – with men being more likely to admit this (26%) than women (19%).
 

The research also reveals that parallel parking is the most difficult parking manoeuvre, with a fifth of drivers (20%) saying they struggle with this.

Despite bumps and scrapes accounting for 8% of all claims in 2024³, the research found that more than a third (37%) of drivers didn't report this to anyone¹, which is a condition under most insurance policies and in some instances, a legal requirement.
 

Martin Smith, Motor Claims Manager at Aviva, said:

“It’s interesting to see that garage owners are favouring other locations for parking their car, which could in part be explained by the gradual increase in car size over the years.

Garages can offer an additional layer of security. However, if you find that you struggle to park, always check your rear view and wing mirrors first. Although parking sensors and cameras can be a helpful guide, be careful not to over-rely on these, as there could be an object, item or person in your blind spot which wouldn’t be visible to the car’s camera or sensor.

Many of us will, unfortunately experience bumps or scrapes on our cars in our lifetime. If this happens, it’s important to let your insurer know. Failing to do so could result in you being unable to make a claim, as this is often a condition in most insurance policies. In some instances, you may also need to let the police know about your collision under the Road Traffic Act.

Most insurers will also ask where your car is parked overnight, so make sure you answer this accurately, as it could impact a claim if you provide the wrong information.”
 

How can you help?

These findings offer an opportunity for you to proactively support your Personal Lines customers with guidance on safe parking best practices and to remind them to report any incidents to us as soon as possible.
 

^{1 The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 1,344 car drivers (aged 17+) - natural fallout among a recruitment of 2,000 general respondents. The data was collected between 23.05.2025 and 27.05.2025. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council.}

^{28% statistic found by combining ‘I never use’ and ‘I rarely use this to park in’.}

^{50% statistic found by the inverse of ‘I have never damaged my car by accidently driving into something’, ‘I have done one or more of these but not damaged my car’ and ‘I have damaged my car in this way but I do not remember how’.}

^{2 Stat found by analysing the top five selling cars in 2004 and 2024 and width and length of cars from Parkers Guide in these years to calculate average size. Average = 22% growth over 20 years.}

^{3 Aviva motor claims data from January – December in 2024.} 

^{4 The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 1,344 car drivers (aged 17+) - natural fallout among a recruitment of 2,000 general respondents. The data was collected between 23.05.2025 and 27.05.2025. Stats calculated by looking at those who have ever damaged their car by accidently driving into/scraping a stationary object/objects while trying to park.}