The Experian study found that women are typically more driven by factors such as the running costs, sticker price, tax bracket and the ability to finance the purchase.

Men, on the other hand, are more likely to prioritise the reliability of a car and the make and model. Experian also revealed that women keep their cars for longer, with 69 per cent of females holding onto their cars for over three years compared to 60 per cent of men. Kirk Fletcher, managing director of Experian’s automotive division, said: “The older the car, the higher the chance of it having some sort of history that would affect a person’s decision to buy it. “It is important for women to protect themselves, because they are more likely to buy older cars. “Men are just as vulnerable if they are more inclined to base their decisions on what the car means to them.”