Four in five (80%) Wheels4Sure customers used to buy their cars outright before switching to personal contract hire, its survey has found.

The vehicle leasing provider reported that the main reason the 400 customers surveyed now lease is because they can obtain a new vehicle at an affordable price.

Reginald Larry-Cole, founder and CEO of Wheels4Sure and Buy2LetCars, said: "Our research further highlights the popularity of leasing over car ownership as people are becoming more detached from the emotional side of ownership."

The company said there has been an enormous shift in attititude of UK drivers when it comes to owning or leasing a car.