Fast Forward: 2026 Trends Report
Using Motorway’s platform data and new consumer research, the 2026 ‘Fast Forward’ report predicts that the year ahead will be defined by nostalgia-fuelled design, social media-inspired personalisation and must-have in-car tech.
1. INSPIRED BY THE PAST
Motorway data shows that nostalgic models and showier, retro-inspired cars are already gaining value on the used car market – and consumer appetite suggests this is only just getting started.
Just take the Renault 5 – recently crowned 2025 European Car of the Year – as a clear indicator that retro design is driving mainstream demand. Its blend of 1970s heritage with contemporary electric engineering shows the past is coming through in new, modern design.
Nostalgia in the rear view mirror
From early-00s film revivals including ‘Freaky Friday’ and ‘Bridget Jones’ Diary’, to long-awaited iconic Britpop reunions that saw Oasis fans break record ticket sales nationwide, 2025 embodied nostalgic entertainment.
But this cultural rewind also made its mark on the used car market, as Motorway has seen an uplift of nostalgic classic models being sold on the platform. Timeless favourites achieved higher average sale prices compared to 2024, including the Subaru Outback (+32.67%) and Renault Clio (+4.99%) as well as the Vauxhall Corsa (+4.8%) and Volkswagen Golf (+2.59%).
Motorway expects classically 90s and 00s features to stick around over the coming year, with 43% of UK car owners saying they’d love to own a retro-inspired model. In fact, six in 10 (61%) would opt for a car model from the 2000s or earlier.
Maximalism makes a return
According to Motorway’s platform data, 2025 saw an increase in demand for more maximalist, ‘showy’ models, with cars including the Land Rover Defender achieving a 6.29% price increase versus 2024 – with similar appetite observed for standout models such as the MINI Cooper and Nissan Juke.
Maximalism, which debuted across high fashion runways in 2025, is now set to influence culture at large in 2026. This revival is defined by rich textures, saturated colours, layered details, and a sense of unfiltered self-expression – a far cry from the minimalist neutrals of recent years.
This shift in taste could have knock-on effects for the used car market, too. Motorway expects to see a renewed appetite for 1980s-style vehicles, with models like the Aston Martin V8 Vantage predicted to experience a rise in both popularity and valuation. These icons of the past may soon become the hottest retro collectables on the road.
2. SOCIALLY INSPIRED TO EXPRESS YOURSELF
TikTok and social media are turning cars into personal style statements.
With the monumental rise of ‘CarTok’ on TikTok, cars are no longer just a means of transport – they have become an extension of personal style. From playful touches such as fluffy steering wheel covers and leopard print floor mats, to quirky Labubu mascots dangling from rear-view mirrors, personalisation has never been more accessible or more visible. In fact, TikTok has seen over 165,000 videos dedicated to car décor and DIY interior styling, showing just how far the trend has come.
According to new consumer research by Motorway, 40% of UK car owners have customised their car in some way over the past year, whether that’s adding small decorative details including stickers or ornaments (47%), changing the exterior colour (24%) or entirely redesigning the interior of their car (20%). Meanwhile, 30% have even installed new wheels, or upgraded their sound system (32%).
Colour trends: from Butter Yellow to Transformative Teal
When it comes to colour, in 2025, Butter Yellow took centre stage on the catwalk. But monochrome ruled the roads, with grey, black, and white the most popular colour cars sold on Motorway’s platform last year. Looking ahead to next year, Pantone’s Colour of the Year is rumoured to be Transformative Teal. The new colour of the moment is set to influence everything from seat covers to dashboard accents. According to UK car owners, this on-trend shade ranked as one of the highest colour preferences when it comes to car interiors, with 22% agreeing they’d like to see teal in their next car. Expect to see bold pops of colour and statement accessories that bring personality to the interiors.
The return of kitsch
Finally, with the ongoing wave of nostalgia influencing fashion, interiors, and now car culture, 2026 could see a full-blown revival of kitsch car trinkets. UK car owners appear ready to embrace the charm of yesteryear, with many interested in decking out their cars with the likes of fluffy dice (16%) swinging from the mirror, bobblehead ornaments (16%) on the dashboard, novelty air vent diffusers (19%) and even eyelashes on headlights (11%) – all playful touches that throw it back to the early 2000s and beyond.
3. K-POP TAKEOVER
It’s official: the UK is in the midst of a full-blown K-pop obsession. As K-pop continues to dominate playlists, fashion trends, and even food choices, it’s now sparking a shift in how UK car owners want their cars to look and feel. The muted palettes of recent years are losing their shine, as consumers now seek variety, energy, and visual punch. According to new research by Motorway, almost one in 10 (8%) UK car owners would even like to see the K-pop inspired ‘Neon Magenta’ as a key colour in future car exteriors. Additionally, Motorway is seeing Korean car makers such as Hyundai and Kia being snapped up by dealers due to their affordability and mass-market appeal. In 2025, the Hyundai Santa Fe (+2.77%) and Kia Rio (+1.37%) sold on the platform at a higher average price compared with previous years.
4. TECH TAKES THE WHEEL
While personalisation, style, and nostalgia all continue to play a part in Britain’s driving choices, technology is also firmly in the fast lane – especially among younger generations. In 2025, Motorway’s platform revealed that cars equipped with key tech features sold for 91% more on average than models without them. In-car tech is no longer nice to have – it’s a baseline expectation of car owners.
But what drivers want from that technology is changing fast. While navigation systems and smartphone connectivity are now considered standard, the next wave of demand is forming around assisted driving and safety intelligence. Parking assistance (38%), advanced safety features (38%) and integrated media systems are emerging as the must haves for desirability in the used market.
For younger buyers, the stakes are even higher. Over a third (35%) of Gen Z car owners say that in-car technology is the single most important factor when choosing a vehicle, outranking fuel type, brand reputation and even environmental impact. This shift is already influencing what sells on Motorway, with tech-rich models achieving stronger sale prices.
A generational shift away from manual
It’s not just in-car technology that is impacting the younger generation’s driving habits, a third (32%) of 18-24 year-olds now consider manual driving “outdated”, with 72% saying they would buy an automatic vehicle over a manual one. In contrast, only 35% of those over 65 stated that they would choose an automatic gearbox over an old-school manual, highlighting the stark contrast in generational divides.
This is reflected in the transmission types of cars sold on Motorway, where manual vehicles outsold automatics by 14.7% in 2025, indicating a modest but noticeable preference that may shift as younger drivers enter the market.
Ready to embrace your nostalgic era in 2026, or looking to upgrade to a touch of teal? You can get a free, instant valuation on Motorway now or keep an eye on the value of your wheels by using Motorway’s Car Value Tracker.
SOURCES
Any mention of sold price or volume of sales is reflective of seller data from the Motorway platform. Sold price refers to the final price that consumers have sold their vehicle to dealers for, and volume of sales refers to the number of vehicles of a certain type that dealers have purchased via the platform in the time period specified.
Research conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Motorway, with results secured from 2,000 UK car owners. The survey took place between 22nd October and 28th October 2025.