The cost of cars has fallen dramatically over the past decade but, according to Government statistics, they are no more efficient.

British motorists are achieving average fuel economy of just 32mpg (based on fuel sales and mileage covered in the UK) – a figure that has remained static over the past five years despite the rapid advancements in technology.

The average fuel efficiency of company cars – the newest and cleanest in the British car parc – is only slightly better at 35mpg, again a figure that has not improved since 2002.

However, the figures’ accuracy is questionable because of the small sample sizes involved.

The figures, which are contained in the Transport Statistics Great Britain 2007 Edition, also show that the cost of cars (new and used combined) has dropped by more than 20% in real terms over the past decade, although maintenance, tax, insurance and fuel have all risen by more than 50%.

According to the statistics, the price motorists are paying to get behind the wheel has plummeted by almost a quarter – 23% – over the past decade.

The amount of each household’s income spent on cars and other forms of travel has fallen from 15% in 1999 to just 13.9% last year.

However, the amount we actually spend on cars, trains and planes has risen consistently from an average of £48 a week 10 years ago to £61 today.