The survey, which questioned over 2,500 renters in the UK and throughout Europe, said experience with a fleet vehicle can have an impact on drivers' future purchases.

Avis found that 105 of those surveyed were typically exposed to the cars they owned while they were on Avis's fleet.

Out of those rental customers, 48 per cent in the UK said they were set to buy a new car in the next 12 months.

Nearly half of all UK drivers surveyed also said they were “slightly or much more likely” to add the model to their next new car shopping list, with 44 per cent saying this was the case.

“This survey was commissioned to find out the true impact on a driver's future car buying decision and the results were very positive,” Paul Hainsworth, Avis fleet director.

“We understand manufacturers have to control rental volumes more carefully, but this proves they could lose out on future sales, many to drivers who have never experienced their brand, if they do not keep up a presence in the rental arena.”

While Avis's findings were positive, some manufacturers have been pulling out of the rental sector, saying it is not profitable.

Nissan is one brand to have done this, as well as Kia, which earlier this year said it saw drastic sales reversals as it pulled back on selling cars to discount-heavy businesses such as daily rental operations.