A survey by M&S Car Insurance has found that many drivers will take to the road in their new vehicle without fully understanding how the car works. With many drivers set to pick-up the keys to their new ‘10′ registration-plate vehicles on 1st March, drivers are being urged by M&S to get to know their new cars before heading out on the road.

The M&S Car Insurance commissioned poll found that only 12% of car drivers will fully read the manual before driving off in a car (new or used) for the first time.

When driving a car for the first time over a third of drivers (35%) don’t read the manual at all beforehand, while 51% of drivers will simply flick through it. The research found that women (40%) are more likely to drive a car without reading the manual, compared to 30% of men.

Almost a fifth (19%) of drivers admitted that they work out how to use features such as the windscreen wipers, hazards lights and CD player, as they drive. As a result, only 21% of drivers say they feel very confident that they know how everything works before taking a car out for the first time.

The research showed that, from a list of 10 common issues, the top five features drivers struggle to get to grips with in a car they are driving for the first time are:
- Finding the handle to open the bonnet
- Working out how to use the CD player or radio
- Finding how to alter the seat position
- Locating the headlights switch
- Working out how to use the windscreen wipers

David Wells, M&S Head of Insurance, said: “Whether it’s a brand new car or a used vehicle, most garages should talk you through a vehicle before you drive it away. To avoid taking risks and potentially causing an accident, it is important to take time to familiarise yourself with the features of a car that’s new to you.”

Further information about M&S Premier Car Insurance as well as key features is available by contacting M&S Money or through the M&S Money website.

Via EPR Network
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