Brits admit that BRAND is more important than safety in Top 25 car-buying influences list
Having electric windows is also a more influential feature for carbuyers than safety ratings and equipment
BRITS believe safety is one of the least influential aspects when looking for a new car.
Shockingly, out of the top 25 factors considered by buyers, NCAP ratings and safety equipment polled at 22nd.
The survey was commissioned by car maker Hyundai, which also found that price and reliability are the most important details.
A car's fuel type is the third most influential factor, with a growing trend towards the uptake of hybrid and electric vehicles amongst UK owners.
The car make and model are also highly rated in the list - meaning that Brits are heavily swayed by brand appeal.
Besides short and long-term costs, carbuyers also consider comfort and size as important aspects.
Meanwhile, CO2 emissions are the least of Brits' worries - rated only just above how far away the car dealership is from them.
This is despite current and upcoming daily fees for toxic cars to enter town centres - as well as a myriad of campaigns promoting greener travel and transport.
These include London's T-Charge, the nationwide Clean Air Zone charges and government grants for purchasing plug-in motors.
The research also found that Brits typically own a car for five years and eight months.
They'll also look into only three different models before deciding on their new purchase.
This may partly be the reason why a whopping one in four regret their choice.
It seems "dad's the word", as a quarter of those who take someone car shopping with them, choose their father.
TOP 25 MOST INFLUENTIAL CAR-BUYING FACTORS
- Price
- Reliability
- Type of fuel
- Make of car
- Economy - miles per gallon
- Model of car
- Cost of ownership - insurance costs, servicing costs etc
- Number of doors
- Comfort
- Size of car - if it's big enough for my family/pets
- Engine size
- Road tax cost
- Transmission (manual or automatic)
- Number of seats
- Size of boot
- Size of car - if it's small enough so it's easy to manoeuvre and park
- Colour of exterior
- Engine power/speed
- Handling
- Length of warranty
- Electric windows
- Safety - NCAP ratings, safety equipment etc
- Visibility through rear window
- CO2 emissions
- How far away the dealership is
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A Hyundai spokesperson said: “There’s so much to take into account when shopping for a new car, but as the research suggests, we are pretty decisive and know what we want.
“Of course, everyone is different with very specific requirements, but the findings provide an overall indication of what is important to us.
“The cost of running the vehicle – whether it be the fuel type, road tax cost or reliability are clearly significant – however, the findings also suggest that the driving experience itself is a major factor too.”