As many as 1.4 million households are sitting on a four-wheel treasure trove in the form of unused cars, it is claimed.
New research suggests these vehicles, which perform no useful function and are gently rusting away, could be worth a combined £9.5 billion.
Against a background of the continuing cost of living squeeze the funds released from selling on these vehicles could provide a useful safety net.
The online car marketplace Carwow estimates the average value of each of these vehicles is around £6,717.
Carwow has spoken to dealers to identify which makes are most in demand and are likely to offer the best return.
The top 10 most in-demand makes
1. Volkswagen
2. BMW
3. Audi
4. Volvo
5. Mercedes
6. Nissan
7. Ford
8. Kia
9. Hyundai
10. Vauxhall
Consumer Editor at Carwow, John Rawlings, said: “It’s surprising to see that even just a small percentage of owners who have a car they don’t drive equates to such a high volume of vehicles across the UK that are simply sitting unused.
“Perhaps you’ve got a second family car that’s no longer needed or a teenager who’s moved to university and left their first car behind.
But if you’ve got a vehicle parked on your drive that’s never used, consider getting it valued – it might be worth more than you think. Especially if it matches one of the current most in-demand makes by dealers.
“Remember that if your car has been sitting unused for a long period, you’ll want to give it a good service to ensure it’s running smoothly before you sell it.
“Rust can accumulate on brakes, and fluids may need changing. A good clean can also do wonders to prepare it for a sale.”