The UK’s foremost touch-up paint retailer conducted extensive research to uncover which drivers take the utmost pride in maintaining their cherished vehicles. By delving into the connection between car brands and maintenance habits, this study sheds light on the distinctive pride and care routines of car owners throughout the country.
Utilising sales data from Chipex in the UK and car registration data from the DVLA, Chipex devised an index that assigned drivers scores ranging from 0 to 200 based on their likelihood of purchasing touch-up paint. This innovative index allowed Chipex to gauge the true extent of drivers’ pride in their vehicles.
Key Findings:
- Luxury Brands and Meticulous Owners: Owners of luxury car brands such as BMW, Tesla, Porsche, Jaguar, and others exhibit a strong commitment to paint upkeep, indicative of a deep-seated pride in their vehicle’s appearance and a low tolerance for imperfections. Remarkably, 11 out of the 77 car manufacturers included in the study achieved a perfect Chipex Index score of 200. Notable brands in this category included Porsche, Alfa Romeo, and Aston Martin.
- BMW Edges Out Mercedes-Benz: In the age-old rivalry between BMW and Mercedes-Benz, BMW owners take the lead when it comes to maintaining their vehicle’s appearance. BMW owners boasted a perfect paintwork maintenance score of 200, outperforming their Mercedes counterparts who achieved a score of 130.
- Electric Cars and Aesthetics: Tesla drivers, with a score of 200, place a high value on the aesthetics of their vehicles, potentially reflecting their forward-thinking and eco-conscious mindset.
- Everyday Cars Embrace Imperfections: Brands such as Vauxhall (score of 39) and Toyota (score of 51), along with owners of compact cars, demonstrate a more relaxed attitude towards minor blemishes, reflecting an acceptance of life’s minor imperfections.
- Family Cars Prioritise Functionality: Family car owners prioritise the practical aspects of their vehicles over maintaining a spotless exterior finish. They cherish functionality and the memories made in their cars over aesthetic perfection. Popular family-focused SUVs like the Nissan Qashqai and Kia Sportage scored 38 and 37, respectively.
Johnny Graham, the founder of Chipex, remarked:
“The study highlights a clear correlation between luxury car ownership and the quest for perfection. We sell touch up paint for all brands, but there is a need to educate drivers of ‘everyday runarounds’ that our product exists, it’s affordable and is easy to use. Not only can a quick touch up job help retain the value of your car, it can help instil a sense of pride for your beloved motor; whether it’s a top-of-the-range Aston Martin or a humble Skoda.”
For more information about the Chipex Index, additional insights from the study, and access to the raw data, please visit the Chipex UK website.
