As winter descends on the UK, many Britons are trading in festive nights out for warm evenings snuggled up at home, indulging in their favourite films and TV specials, writes Tim Barnes-Clay.
A recent study by used car marketplace Motorway reveals that 86% of UK adults plan to watch up to 20 beloved shows and movies as Christmas approaches.
Among the top picks for festive viewing are classics like Home Alone and the Gavin & Stacey Christmas specials, which feature memorable moments behind the wheel. With various heartwarming drives, thrilling car chases, and charming love stories unfolding in vehicles, it’s no surprise that these iconic scenes are etched in the hearts of viewers.
To investigate the value of these on-screen motors further, Motorway enlisted the expertise of former Top Gear presenter Quentin Wilson. Together, they assessed the current sale prices of several notable vehicles from Christmas classics.
Here’s what they found:
- Smithy’s 1996 Volvo 850S Estate from Gavin & Stacey: £2,213
- Daniel’s 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE in Bridget Jones’s Diary: £223,450
- The Weasleys’ 1960 Ford Anglia from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: £9,472
- Amanda Woods’ Mini Cooper S in The Holiday: £1,637
- The Prime Minister’s 2003 Jaguar XJ6 in Love Actually: £4,476
Interestingly, almost half (48%) of survey respondents needed help to guess the values of these classic cars accurately. Only 5% estimated that Daniel’s Mercedes-Benz 280 SE would sell for over £100,000, despite its scarcity and unique features, which could fetch up to £223,450 in today’s market.
When asked which of these iconic vehicles they would most like to own, the top choices were clear: the Prime Minister’s 1987 Jaguar XJ-S from Love Actually (10%), Daniel Cleaver’s 1969 Mercedes-Benz convertible from Bridget Jones’s Diary (9%), and Cameron Diaz’s Mini Cooper from The Holiday (9%).
In a light-hearted nod to their favourite car scenes, one in five Brits (21%) crowned the McCallisters’ race to the airport in Home Alone as the most iconic car moment ever, with Hugh Grant’s humorous ‘Nativity octopus’ ride in Love Actually close behind at 16%.
As the festive season approaches, many look forward to the annual ‘driving home for Christmas’ moment, with 51% of respondents expressing excitement for this cherished tradition. Interestingly, Bridget Jones emerged as the ideal passenger for 12% of those surveyed, closely followed by Buddy the Elf at 10%. Surprisingly, just 3% would want to share a ride with Home Alone’s burglar or Draco Malfoy from Harry Potter.
Quentin Wilson remarked, “These iconic cars are synonymous with the holiday season, yet it’s astonishing how much they could be worth today. Many Brits underestimate the values of these vehicles, with 30% having no idea of their true market price.”
With festive playlists already on many people’s minds, it seems that James Corden’s vibrancy is inspiring Britons to prepare their road trip soundtracks. Chris Rea’s “Driving Home For Christmas” tops the charts for 19% of respondents, while classics like Wham!’s “Last Christmas” (18%) and Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas” (15%) follow closely behind.
For a complete list of Christmas cars and their current values, check out https://motorway.co.uk/sell-my-car/guides/christmas-carols. With so much nostalgia on the road this season, it’s the perfect time to reminisce about those beloved films while getting into the festive spirit.
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