A survey of 2,000 drivers found that one in three have misplaced their vehicle in shopping-centre car parks, while the average motorist forgets where they’ve parked six times a year, spending around 13 minutes searching each time. Over a lifetime, that adds up to three and a half days spent hunting for their car.
Shockingly, 6 per cent admitted they had even lost their car outside their own home.
The Halfords-commissioned research also uncovered the growing role of the car as a personal retreat. According to the findings, 63 per cent of drivers feel more prepared for the day after taking five minutes to unwind in their vehicle, and half admitted they’ve “hidden” in their car for a moment of peace away from partners, kids, or colleagues.
A further breakdown shows 13 per cent have hidden from partners, 12 per cent from their children, and 8 per cent from their in-laws. Meanwhile, 35 per cent said they had used the excuse of running a “quick errand” just to enjoy a few quiet minutes alone.
Paul Ray of Halfords said the results highlight the increasingly important role the car plays in people’s emotional wellbeing. “The car has become a vital, yet unspoken, sanctuary for millions of people across the country,” he said. “We want to encourage drivers to embrace this habit and give themselves permission to take that precious time to unwind.”
The study also found that 77 per cent of motorists enjoy what they call “car time”: staying in their vehicles for five minutes or more at the beginning or end of a journey.
Of those who enjoy these quiet breaks, 67 per cent consider the car the perfect place to unwind, 42 per cent value the privacy, 27 per cent appreciate the chance to think clearly, and 15 per cent simply enjoy playing music as loud as they want.
However, parents were more conflicted about their secret escapes—21 per cent admitted feeling guilty compared to 14 per cent of non-parents.
Summer is the season most associated with “car time” (18 per cent), though 36 per cent rely more heavily on their vehicles during winter. More than half (52 per cent) said driving and maintaining a car is more stressful during the colder months.
To accompany the research, Halfords worked with comedian and actor Ellie Taylor, who stars in a short film reflecting on the relatable ritual. “I honestly thought I was the only one!” she said. “Like millions of parents, my day is one long, beautiful, chaotic relay race, and sometimes you just need a moment to quietly take a breath, eat a snack or mentally prepare for the next round of getting someone to put on their shoes.”
“The truth is, for busy parents, self-care isn’t always a long hot bath or a meditation retreat—it’s that glorious window when you pull up outside the house and finally put the car into park."
