The line graph illustrates the percentage of British citizens who owned cars, measured at ten-year intervals from 1975 to 2005. Overall, while most groups experienced fluctuations, the one-car ownership group remained relatively stable. Additionally, the ranking of ownership groups by percentage remained consistent throughout the period.
The groups of individuals with no car and those owning one car were the largest over time. Initially, in 1975, the one-car ownership group accounted for 45% of British car owners, while the no-car group was slightly lower at approximately 43%. Both groups experienced a sharp decline during the first decade, with the one-car group reaching its lowest point of just under 40% in 1985. However, from this point, their trends diverged. The one-car ownership group recovered gradually, returning to its initial percentage of 45% by 2005. In contrast, the no-car group continued to decline significantly, reaching its lowest figure of about 21% by the end of the period.
Conversely, the groups of individuals owning two or three cars displayed upward trends. The three-car ownership group started at a modest 3% in 1975, rising steadily to just under 10% by 2005, showing minimal fluctuation. Meanwhile, the two-car ownership group experienced a more dramatic increase. Beginning at approximately 7% in 1975, it rose sharply to 15% by 1985 and continued to climb gradually, peaking at 18% in 2005. Notably, the rise in two-car ownership closely mirrored the decline in the no-car group, suggesting a shift in preferences over time.