From Messy Motors to Horn Beeping: New research Reveals Driving Habits are a Major Dealbreaker in Gen Z's Dating Life

• 8 million of Gen Z (46%) admit to getting the 'ick' over a date's car - with 3 in 10 ending or reconsidering a relationship because of it.
  
  
• Electric vehicles spark attraction with 37% of Gen Z are more likely to fancy someone who drives an EV, almost double the national average
  
  
• Top dating turn-offs behind the wheel include bad smells (23%), messy cars (22%) and tailgating (22%)

6th November, London, UK: With summer over and out, its officially cuffing season, and the search for a new romantic partner for the darker, colder months is underway. But as Brits look for love, new research from Autotrader, the UK's largest automotive marketplace, reveals a surprising dealbreaker: the car someone drives.

The research shows that for the UK's youngest generation, the car someone drives is an essential part of the first impressions. A huge 59% of Gen Z (aged 18-24) say the type of car someone drives is important to first impressions, compared to just 40% of the overall population.

Over 5.8 million Gen Z Brits (46% of the Gen Z population) say they got the 'ick' when they discovered which car their partner or date drives. This trend is forcing them to make tough choices: almost 3 in 10 (29%) of Gen Z have ended or reconsidered a relationship because of someone's car or driving habits, compared to just 12% of the overall population.

The Road to Romance is Electric

However, it seems the road to romance is electric and owning an electric vehicle (EV) makes you a more appealing partner. Gen Z is nearly twice as likely as the average Brit to be attracted to someone who drives an EV: 37% of Gen Z would be more attracted to a date who drove an electric vehicle, versus 20% of all Brits. According to the data, it's the air of responsibility and environmental awareness that makes owning an electric vehicle even more attractive (41%).

Gen Z Are the Toughest Judges

When assessing a potential partner, 65% of Gen Z would judge them on their driving habits, compared to 53% of the overall population. Similarly, 60% of Gen Z are judgmental about how someone treats their car, a marked increase from 44% of all Brits. This highlights that for the youngest generation, the vehicle and the driver's behaviour are critical, non-negotiable elements of a first impression.

Autotrader has also revealed the top ten driving 'icks' putting off daters. With an unpleasant smell coming out on top (23%), followed by untidy interiors (22%) and tailgating (22%).

Top Ten Driving Icks:

1. Unpleasant Smell (23%)
2. Untidy interiors (22%)
3. Tailgating (22%)
4. Shouting at other drivers (21%)
5. Horn beeping (18%)
6. Not thanking other drivers or showing courtesy on the road (16%)
7. Playing loud music (15%)
8. Revving the engine unnecessarily (15%)
9. Bad parking (14%)
10. Backseat driving (12%)

However, it's not all bad news for UK car owners. Autotrader has also determined which vehicle brands are most likely to win over a romantic partner, unveiling that the car brand most likely to do so is a Mercedes-Benz (21%), followed by a BMW (16%) and a Porsche (15%).

For Brits looking for love this cuffing season, finding the right car could be the first step toward finding the right partner. As the UK's largest automotive marketplace, Autotrader offers the largest choice of new and used cars - including EVs - to suit every personality and lifestyle, helping drivers make the perfect first impression. To find your next vehicle visit: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/