New research has revealed the cars which are most likely to be owned by the best drivers, and which cars are likely to be driven by the worst motorists.
Fiat Doblo drivers are the UK’s safest motorists, while owners of the 'sporty' Audi S3 were the worst drivers, according to data from DriveScore. As for motorists who are most likely to be distracted on their phone, BMW M135I drivers were found to be looking at a screen 50 percent more than the average road user.
Data from more than 150,000 DriveScore users across the UK revealed Fiat Doblo drivers to hold an almost-perfect average driving score of 930, out of a maximum score of 1,000.
The Doblo - which has in the past been used by the Royal Mail - took the crown among UK drivers after recording the most careful cornering, braking and acceleration.
It beat drivers of the second plaice motor, the Volvo XC70, by 30 points. The Suzuki Splash came in third, with 890.
With the most instances of hasty acceleration and fast cornering, the lowest average score was registered by owners of Audi’s 'strong and sporty' S3, with an average DriveScore of just 690.
HIGHEST AVERAGE DRIVESCORES, BY CAR MODEL |
LOWEST AVERAGE DRIVESCORES, BY CAR MODEL |
1 - Fiat Doblo (930) |
1 - Audi S3 (690) |
2 - Volvo XC70 (900) |
2 - BMW M135I (710) |
3 - Suzuki Splash (890) |
3 - Volkswagen Scirocco (730) |
4 - Suzuki Grand (890) |
4 - Chevrolet Captiva (730) |
5 – Volvo S80 (890) |
5 - BMW 116D (740) |
6 – Jaguar S-Type (880) |
6 - BMW 120D (740) |
7 – Hyundai Santa Fe (880) |
7 - Seat Ibiza (750) |
8 – Ford Tourneo (880) |
8 - BMW 118D (750) |
9 – Citroen Berlingo (880) |
9 - Mercedes-Benz A180 (750) |
10 – Volvo V90 (880) |
10 - Mercedes-Benz CLA (750) |
Drivers of Skoda Citigos and Fiat Doblos are experts when it comes to sticking to the speed limit, reporting the fewest speeding incidences.
But if you find yourself behind the wheel of a Chevrolet Captiva, extra caution may be necessary, with these vehicles reporting the highest average number of events of harsh braking.
DriveScore Managing Director, Ciaran Astin said: "Insurers often charge higher insurance premiums for certain models of cars because of the high number of accidents and the cost of insurance claims caused by other drivers of those car models. However, at DriveScore, we believe insurance premiums will be fairer if they are based on the skill of the individual driver, rather than the car they happen to drive. "
Ciaran added: "We’re all aware of stereotypes linking certain cars with driving performance, but it doesn’t have to be this way. DriveScore helps to cut through prejudices with personalised insights, so that everyone has a chance to pay fair prices for their policy."
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