You’ve got your eye on a new car. It’s the latest model. You’ll be the envy of the neighbours. But not so fast – where will you park it?
Research from Churchill found that 42% of people have a car that’s too big for their garage.
New cars are getting 1cm wider every two years, partly because manufacturers are adding new safety features.
The UK’s top-selling cars leave just 10cm or less clearance on each side to get through the average-sized garage doors – that’s the width of a toilet roll.
If you’re not a confident parker that’s a lot of stress every time you put the car away.
Which cars are the biggest?
The UK’s best-selling car in 2024 was the Ford Puma, measuring 193cm wide. If you compare that to the width of the average single garage door – 213cm – it doesn’t leave you with a lot of space.
Other popular models leave you with even less room or no room at all to squeeze into your garage.
| Car model | Car width including wing mirrors | Space to manoeuvre into garage |
| Tesla Model Y | 213cm | 0cm each side |
| Kia Sportage | 208cm | 2.5cm each side |
| Nissan Qashqai | 208.4cm | 2.3cm each side |
| VW Golf | 207.3cm | 2.85cm each side |
| MG HS | 206.6cm | 3.2cm each side |
| Hyundai Tucson | 206.5cm | 3.25cm each side |
| Nissan Juke | 198.3cm | 7.35cm each side |
| Audi A3 | 196.6cm | 8.2cm each side |
| Volkswagen Polo | 196.4cm | 8.3cm each side |
| Ford Puma | 193cm | 10cm each side |
Garages are simply too small
A third of drivers never use their garage to park their cars because they don’t fit. In fact, they're more likely to be full of bikes and boxes of clutter these days.
Of the people who don’t use their garage:
- 17% have a car that’s too wide to fit through the door
- 16% can’t open the doors wide enough to get out
- 11% own a car that’s too long to fit in
As a result, garages are being used for different things like storage, home gyms and extra living space.
What to consider before you buy a new car
The first question to ask yourself is: do I really need a big car?
Depending on what you use your car for and how much room you need, you could be better off with something a bit smaller.
Before you make your mind up, think about:
What you use your car for - If it’s just for the school run, picking up the shopping and occasionally going to the gym, you could probably do that in a smaller car.
Size matters – Smaller cars have a lower fuel consumption, so if you only make short journeys, it’s better for the environment because you’ll produce fewer emissions.
Security measures – If you can’t fit your car in your garage, where are you going to park it? Do you have a drive? Is it safe to park it on the road outside your house?
Nicholas Mantel, Head of Churchill Motor Insurance, wants people to know that not being able to park their car safely in a garage can increase security risks.
He said, “As the cars we drive get ever bigger, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to squeeze them into our garages. While a car may physically fit, for drivers getting in or out of the vehicle, it can feel like they need to be contortionists, as there’s so little space.
“As a result, many people are forced to park their vehicles on driveways or public roads, leaving them more exposed and making security even more important to reduce the risk of theft or damage.”
If you still need help making your mind up, consider this: 22% of people have had to climb out of their car through the boot in a public car park because there wasn’t enough space to open the doors.
