The Biggest Icks: Cars
23 January 2025 | 
Phil Evans
‘Ick’ entered the lexicon in 2017, thanks to Love Island contestants using it to describe behaviours that instantly turned them off. While the term may be relatively new, the concept is timeless. From messy bedrooms to awkward dinner habits, everyone has their own icks. And when it comes to dating, cars are often a surprising dealbreaker. Whether it’s a clunky old banger or a flashy ride decked out with neon lights, cars play a bigger role in attraction than you might think. We surveyed the nation to uncover Brits’ top car-related icks, from driving habits to unpopular car models. Don’t worry if you see your car on the ick list, our temporary car insurance can save the day ahead of your next date. Let’s dive in.
What are Car Icks?
Car icks are those unexpected turnoffs linked to vehicles or driving habits that can instantly make someone less appealing. Considering some people get the ick over something as small as awkwardly held cutlery, it’s no surprise that car-related icks are a common dealbreaker. What counts as a car ick, however, often varies between individuals, with one person’s red flag being another’s non-issue. From cluttered interiors and strange smells to cars that look like they belong on Pimp My Ride, we set out to uncover just how much influence cars have on dating decisions.
Our survey* revealed that two-thirds of Brits (64%) believe first impressions extend to the car a person drives. Shockingly, 42% admitted they wouldn’t go on a date with someone if they disliked their vehicle.
It’s clear: the nation’s biggest car icks are clearly a critical courtship factor.
The Biggest Car Icks for Men & Women…
When it comes to dating, your choice of car—and how you maintain it—could make or break that all-important first impression. Here’s what we uncovered about the nation’s biggest car icks:
- 45% of Brits are turned off by a partner driving a car in poor condition or a vehicle they hate.
- 6% wouldn’t even get in the car if it didn’t meet their standards.
- 27% have actually laughed at the state of their date’s car, and the same percentage have considered ending—or outright ended—a relationship because of car shame.
It seems that men are very likely to call it quits over an unappealing motor (30%), while those under 44 are the most likely to feel this way (35%).
Cars and First Impressions
First impressions are key, and a bad car could be a relationship killer:
- 36% of people admitted they’d end things if someone they were already on the fence about rocked up in an awful car.
- 55% of Gen Z would be turned off by a potential partner over a bad car choice, compared to just 17% of those over 55.
- However, if the car was amazing, 53% of Brits said they’d be more likely to give the person a chance.
Unsurprisingly, six in ten Brits (60%) admit to secretly judging others based on the car they drive. This might explain why 20% of respondents have considered renting or borrowing a nicer car for a first date—a move made even easier with our short-term insurance options.
Interestingly, men (22%) are more likely than women (17%) to trade in their usual car for a flashier option to impress their date. However, this pressure isn’t one-sided: 38% of all participants have felt judged by a partner for their car choice, and 63% confessed to feeling envious of others’ wheels.
Let’s face it—how can a modest Polo compete with the allure of a gleaming Range Rover?
The Biggest Car Turn Offs
When it comes to car-related icks, certain habits and features take the crown for being the ultimate dealbreakers.
- Weird smells inside the car top the list, with 57% of Brits finding them a major turn-off. Cigarette smoke is particularly despised, with 48% calling it the worst offender.
- Cluttered interiors aren’t far behind—47% dislike the sight of old coffee cups and water bottles piling up in the footwell. Outdated or sexist bumper stickers are also a no-go for 44% of respondents.
Some quirks are less offensive but still make the list:
- Fluffy dice only annoyed 20%, so they’re not a complete dating disaster.
- Bad or excessively loud music is frowned upon by 28%.
- A fluorescent green or yellow car raised eyebrows for 21%.
- Rusty exteriors (16%) and fluorescent lights on wheels (14%) didn’t win many hearts either!
Bad news for boy racers!
When it comes to the car’s condition 35% think driving an old or dirty car is worse than driving a “midlife crisis” car, like a Porsche 911, which 34% found cringeworthy (as long as it’s clean, you’re safe).
If your ick-inducing car doesn’t leave you love-less it may still cause issues in your relationship:
- 22% admitted to convincing their partner to use another vehicle to avoid judgment.
- 23% have gone as far as asking their partner to park far away from friends or family to hide their car’s state.
The message is clear: keeping your car clean, clutter-free, and neutral is a must if you want to stay in someone’s good books (and avoid car shame).
The Worst Cars for Your Love Life
So we’ve covered the ickiest car habits, but what about the actual model you’re driving? Granted, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but there are some vehicles consistently regarded as ugly cars. We asked Brits to name the car models that would instantly ruin a first date impression, and the results were definitive.
The Top 10 Worst Cars for a First Date:
- A dirty white van – 47%
- A tiny Smart car – 32%
- A minivan – 21%
- A Tesla Cybertruck** – 17%
- A Hummer – 16%
- An old Mini – 11%
- A Ford KA – 9%
- An open-top Jeep – 8%
- A Skoda Fabia – 7%
- A VW Beetle – 6%
- A convertible – 5%
- A Chrysler PT Cruiser – 5%
- A Kia Soul – 5%
- A Skoda Octavia – 5%
- A Volkswagen Up – 4%
Borrow a Better Car and Save Your Love Life
While we can’t insure your love life, we can help you borrow a more impressive car. Whether you’re borrowing a car from a friend or family member, our short-term insurance lets you drive a better vehicle without long-term commitments.
With flexible hourly insurance policies available, you can impress your date with an attractive car, avoid car icks entirely, and focus on the romance. Get a quote today and leave the car icks behind.
*This research of 2,000 Brits was commissioned by GoShorty and conducted by Perspectus Global during January 2025.
**Tesla Cybertrucks are currently banned in the UK, but have been included in this survey due to their popularity.