The chart illustrates the changes in car ownership among households in the UK from 1951 to 2007. Overall, car ownership increased significantly throughout the period, with a growing trend for households to own more than one car.
At the beginning of the period, nearly 90% of households did not own a car. However, this percentage dropped dramatically over time, falling to approximately 20% by 2007. In contrast, the proportion of households owning one car rose sharply in the first half of the period, reaching about 45% by 1975, where it almost equaled the percentage of carless households. After 1975, one-car households stabilized at just under 45%, while the percentage of carless households continued to decline.
Households owning two or more cars saw a marked increase during the same period. In 1951, only 2% of households had two cars, and no households owned more than two. By 2007, households with two cars accounted for 28% of the total, surpassing those without a car. Meanwhile, the proportion of households owning more than two cars began to rise after 1969 and reached nearly 10% by the end of the period.
In summary, car ownership in the UK experienced substantial growth between 1951 and 2007, with an increasing preference for owning multiple vehicles. Households without a car became far less common, while those with two or more cars continued to grow steadily, reflecting significant changes in lifestyle and economic conditions.