Women and Motors
Car Saleswomen more Trustworthy than Men
25 January 2008
Forget buying a motor from Swiss Toni or Phil's Car Lot, new research reveals that Lorraine Kelly and Paula Radcliffe are amongst the celebrities most British drivers would trust to sell them a reliable vehicle - and overall, Britons are more likely to trust a female car salesperson.
With Phil Mitchell's recent dodgy dealings of 'Cut and Shuts' doing nothing to buoy-up the reputation of the second-hand car dealer, AA Personal Loans polled a GB representative sample of 1,500 motorists to find out which celebrities embody the characteristics of a trustworthy car salesperson.
TV presenter Lorraine Kelly was identified as the person people would most regard as a reliable car salesperson, with more than one sixth of the vote (17%) and a strong female following (22% compared to 13% men). In fact, at a time when the gender divide in car buying is closing, with women driving demand for second-hand vehicles1, four of the top five choices of trustworthy car salespeople were women.
Jeremy Paxman, the authoritative journalist and TV presenter, was the favourite amongst male drivers, 18% saying that they would trust him not to pull the wool over their eyes.
Mr Bean was not a popular choice, but even he was pipped to the bottom of the list by Del-Boy Trotter and Alan Partridge.
AA Personal Loans' league of Reliable Salespeople
| Rank | Celebrity/Character | percentage of vote |
| 1 | Lorraine Kelly | 17% |
| 2 | Jeremy Paxman | 16% |
| 3 | Paula Radcliffe | 10% |
| 4 | Carol Thatcher | 5% |
| 5 | Jo Brand | 5% |
| 6 | Sharon Osborne | 4% |
| 7 | Katie Price/Jordan | 2% |
| 8 | Mr Bean | 1% |
| 9 | Derek Trotter | 1% |
| 10 | Alan Partridge | 0.5% |
Further findings
- Older drivers most cautious: Drivers aged over 55 were most likely to say that they would not trust any of these celebrity figures to sell them a reasonable vehicle (42%).
- North East put faith in Jordon: Drivers in the North East are three time more likely to consider Katie Price aka Jordon trustworthy of selling them a reliable vehicle than her fellow Southerners (6% compared to 2%).
- South West support Carol Thatcher: Carol Thatcher earned 11% of the west country vote.
- Welsh love Sharon: Sharon Osbourne is most trusted in Wales where 6% consider her someone they could rely on to sell them a reliable motor.
Mark Huggins, Head of AA Personal Loans says: "Our research started out as a bit of fun, but actually says quite a lot about the characteristics that people associate with being a trustworthy salesperson. With the gender balance in the car market shifting, women being just as likely to buy a second hand car as men, it makes sense that many would prefer to buy a car from a woman.
"Previous research has shown that one in four drivers will knowingly sell a second-hand car without revealing a known fault with the vehicle, so it's important that car buyers are vigilant no matter whom they are buying from. The AA Personal Loans offers a free six month warranty on all used cars bought with an AA Personal Loans which will cover you for any hidden faults - whether the seller knows about them or not."
Notes to Editors
1According to AA Personal Loans' Deals on Wheels research, 29% of women will buy a second hand vehicle over three years old in the next year, compared to 26% men.
More Car buying and selling advice in the AA Car Buyer's Guide
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25 January 2008