From Heartbreak to Handbrake - “Carstody” Battles Now An Issue Amongst Separated UK Couples

From Heartbreak to Handbrake - “Carstody” Battles Now An Issue Amongst Separated UK Couples

• 7 in 10 UK couples who shared a car have fought over ownership after breaking up
• 3 out of 10 couples admit that they never discussed car ownership when initially buying the vehicle together
• 76% of those who disagreed over the car say that these arguments caused wider problems - from delays in moving out to financial strain, with 1 in 10 admitting the vehicle itself was damaged during disputes
• Cazoo has launched the UK’s first “Brake-Up Clause” guide to help couples navigate “carstody” battles after a break-up

London, UK – (Date) - New research has found that 70% of UK couples who shared a car have fought over who keeps the vehicle after they broke up..

New insight from car marketplace Cazoo also reveal how quickly these disagreements can spiral, with three in four of those separated couples who shared a car (76%) saying that the dispute created wider problems - from ongoing post-breakup communication (35%) to increased financial strain (24%).

A smaller proportion (14%) admit that the tension escalated so far that the vehicle itself was damaged/vandalised by their partner during arguments, with this percentage rising to 24% amongst Gen Z drivers. In fact, three in every four of every car disagreement (75%) was said to be ‘significant’ according to the couples surveyed.

Cars are among the most expensive assets that UK couples share, yet even with 51% sharing the payments between them, very few discuss who will keep the car if they separate. In fact, 3 in 10 couples (34%) say they had never discussed car ownership with their partner when they bought the vehicle. Surprisingly, over half of Gen Z (56%) say they had discussed car ownership, compared to just 1 in 3 Boomers (33%), suggesting that younger daters are potentially more financially aware.

To help put an end to post-relationship car disputes, Cazoo is launching the UK’s first-ever “Brake-up Clause” - a downloadable guide that helps couples to agree in advance who keeps the car if they break up. Available on the Cazoo website, this guide allows couples to record their agreement in writing before purchasing a car. Instead of replacing legal advice, the guide will help couples come to informed decisions.

Cazoo has partnered with Estella Newbold-Brown, a leading legal expert who specialises in shared ownership disputes. Estella has helped to draft the Brake-up Clause guide and can provide practical guidance on the options available both to couples who are buying a car together and to couples who are arguing over their car after a break-up.

Lucy Tugby, Cazoo’s Marketing Director: “Cars are often the silent casualty of a breakup. They’re financially valuable and also essential to every day life, which means that disagreements can quickly escalate. Having a pre-agreed plan helps separate the emotional from the practical, allowing couples to make calm decisions before tensions arise and avoid any unnecessary conflict.”

Estella Newbold-Brown, Legal Expert at Amphlett Lissimore: “Apart from your home, your car might be among one of the most expensive purchases in your lifetime - and equally vulnerable if your relationship comes to an unexpected end. Unromantic as it may seem, if your car is important to you, it makes sense to plan for the breakup while you still have control.

When a marriage ends (including civil partnerships) the Court has wide powers to redistribute assets, including personal property such as jewellery, furniture - and even cars ("chattel") - regardless of who bought or paid for them. In some cases, chattel can be transferred, retained by one spouse, or even sold.

Courts will often encourage negotiation or mediation to resolve a dispute about chattel, as they would prefer not to spend time dealing with it. A formal agreement, prepared by professionals, can help reduce uncertainty and costs.

This is where a car-specific Nuptial agreement can be useful or a car-specific Cohabitation agreement, for cohabiting couples. While tempting, doing it yourself agreements can be risky and are unlikely to be upheld. Professional advice helps avoid costly mistakes later on, as there are specific criteria which need to be followed to allow the maximum chances of the court enforcing the agreement.”

Please find Estella’s guide to what all couples must consider when purchasing a car [insert URL]. The Brake-Up clause guide can be accessed at [insert URL].

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The Study

Research was commissioned by Cazoo and conducted by Mortar Research amongst 2000 UK adults in December 2025

About CAZOO

The Cazoo brand was acquired by MOTORS in June 2024 and relaunched as a used car marketplace in April 2025, with more than 200,000 listings from a network of over 5,000 dealers. With a brand new mobile app, it has become the flagship brand in the MOTORS network, aimed at challenging the dominance of the current market leader, providing more options and choice for UK car-buyers and car dealers. A particularly well-known brand, Cazoo, is still recognised by six in ten UK consumers and helps buyers find the right car for their unique needs and lifestyle.

Cazoo joins the likes of MOTORS, eBay, Gumtree and Parkers in the expanding MOTORS network, providing greater visibility for car dealers.MOTORS is an advertising ecosystem that helps dealers reach millions of in-market car buyers and sell cars fast. It provides dealers access to multisite advertising across some of the UK’s best-loved destinations for used cars. Since 2021, MOTORS has been owned by O3 Industries and Novum Capital.

About Estella Newbold-Brown

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