Head rules heart for women's car decisions

Women are more likely to think a car purchase through based on things like running costs and insurance brackets than men, it has emerged.

According to research by information services company Experian, men looking for new cars are more likely to choose one for emotive reasons, while women will get out the calculators to see if it is an affordable choice.

The study found that men were more likely to be influenced by model, brand and how the car would affect their personal image than the fairer sex.

However, it seems men are more flighty when it comes to sticking with their choice - 39 per cent said they expect to change their car within three years, compared to only 29 per cent of women.

Kirk Fletcher, managing director of Experian's automotive division, said people should ensure they carefully check the car's history in order to avoid being ripped off, rather than simply choosing a car because they like it.

"Buying a car can be an emotional process, especially if the car buyer has gone through a lot just to find the right one. A lot of people are reluctant to let a potentially perfect match slip through their fingers, but this is exactly the fixation that fraudsters rely on," he commented.

Earlier this month, a report from Sainsbury's found that the average car insurance premium has risen to over £500 for the first time.