Only around 21 per cent of drivers feel confident when they get behind the wheel of a new car, according to Marks and Spencer Money.
The insurer asked drivers how they feel about new cars, ahead of the introduction of the new 2010 registration vehicles in March and 35 per cent revealed they do not read the manual before they get into the drivers seat of their new vehicle .
David Wells, head of insurance at the institution, said: “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.” The insurance firm added that the essential facts to know before driving include understanding how to use the indicators, learning which fuel the car takes and ensuring the seat is in the correct position.
Following the recent cold snap, the company’s advice from earlier in the year to check the anti-freeze levels in cars and to top up windscreen washer fluid could again be relevant to motorists.