Do you call your car Daisy?
Researchers polled drivers and discovered more than a third of car-azy Brits (36 percent) have given their beloved motor a name, with ‘Daisy’ proving to be the most popular choice. (7 percent)
‘Baby’ came in second place (5 percent), followed by ‘Ruby’ and ‘Neville’ in joint third (4 percent).
‘The Passion Wagon’, and ‘The Pimp Mobile’ emerged as some of the less traditional nicknames, along with names such as ‘Yoda’, ‘Darth’ and ‘Scooby.’
Along with ‘Baby’, other sentimental names emerged from the poll, such as ‘Sweetheart’, ‘Precious’ and ‘Princess’
Overall, the survey by Nextbase, found that we are definitely a nation of car lovers, with 45 percent of British drivers admitting they simply adore their motor.
In fact, more than one in ten (13 percent) of British motorists said they think of their car as a friend, while a fifth (20 percent) of drivers said they missed their car when they were on holiday.
A further 28 percent claim they miss their own car when they are a passenger in someone else’s motor.
The study also found that one in ten of us think about our car constantly when we have parked it somewhere new, with an anxious 14 percent frequently checking on it to make sure it is ok.
And almost a quarter (24 percent) of Brits said they would not trust anyone else to drive their car.
The research found that the average British driver lavishes THREE hours of attention on their car every month, including cleaning and polishing the interior, tinkering with the engine, and hand washing the outside.
The average Brit will also spend a full hour talking about their car to family, friends and neighbours every month.
Eight percent of British drivers will regularly rewatch some of their favourite drives that they have filmed on their dash cam.
And more than one in 20 (seven percent) own a pair of driving gloves to enhance the motoring experience.
However, the research also revealed that 16 percent of British drivers secretly wish their motor could have an upgrade, with a fifth (20 percent) saying they would love the latest mod cons in their car.
Bryn Brooker, Head of Marketing at Nextbase, which commissioned the study, said: “The research highlights just how much of a car-loving nation we are. People clearly cherish their cars and this is a reason we see the numbers of people using dash cams to protect themselves increasing.
“Cars don’t just get us from A to B – many people have a strong bond with their vehicle, wanting to keep it safe and even treating it as an extension of the family. Yet we also wish we could upgrade elements of our motors.
“We can help on this front. A Nextbase dash cam can add connected technology such as voice control, intelligent parking mode, Emergency SOS and a rear-view camera to your current car.”
The study also found that many British drivers believe their car has different ‘moods’ – with 31 percent claiming they know when their car is happy, and 14 percent saying they can tell when their motor is in a frisky, energetic mood.
Interestingly, 57 percent of UK motorists prefer to be on their own when driving, with more than four in 10 (41 percent) saying it gives them some well-earned ‘me-time’, while 27 percent savour the fact they don’t have to make conversation.
Top ten most popular names for cars in the UK
- Daisy – 7% – 2,681,000 cars (based on estimate of 38,300,000 licenced cars in the UK -RAC report 2020)
- Baby – 5%- 1,915,000
- Ruby – 4% – 1,532,000 cars
- Neville – 4% – 1,532,000 cars
- Bernard – 4 % – 1,532,000 cars
- Harry – 3 % -1,490,000 cars
- Betsy – 3% -1,490,000 cars
- Bertha – 3% – 1,490,000 cars
- Buddy – 2% – 760,000 cars
- Max – 2% – 760,000 cars
