Car brands that will make people think you're rich - see if yours made it

21 February 2024 , 11:26

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The car you drive says a lot about you (stock image) (Image: Chris McNulty )

Many people dream of having enough money to do exactly as they please.

The opportunities would be endless, from quitting your job to travelling the world. But as the old saying goes, 'fake it 'til you make it', and your car could help you do that according to research.

The car you're behind the wheel of could symbolise your alleged status to others and can say a lot about you. AutoTrader, the UK's biggest car marketplace, has completed a study to check whether premium motor brands are still a huge status symbol, or whether electric cars are more en vogue these days.

Auto Trader surveyed nearly 1,300 UK drivers aged 18 and above and cross-referenced their results with their salary. The Office for National Statistics defines high earners as those making in excess of £75,000, and the brand most commonly driven by respondents in the salary bracket is BMW. Sixteen per cent of high earners drive this brand of car, as they have "carefully cultivated an image synonymous with power and wealth for over 100 years."

Fifteen per cent of high flyers drive Audi, 14% Ford, and 12% Mercedes. And while many of the car brands are typically associated with wealth, such as Land Rover with 6%, the rest of the top 10 rankings include more affordable brands such as Nissan and Vauxhall.

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But when it comes to high earners and supercars, Ferrari, Rolls-Royce, and Aston Martin are in the top three - and they're far less affordable. And high earners are more likely to opt for electric cars, thanks to the hefty price tag associated with them.

AutoTrader's study found that a quarter of people in the UK's highest household income bracket own a motor either fully or partly powered by a battery - and Tesla is the preferred brand. You can see full list below:

1. BMW - 16%

2. Audi - 15%

3. Ford - 14%

4. Mercedes - 12%

5. Toyota and Volvo - both 8%

7. Nissan, Vauxhall, Volkswagen - all 7%

10. Land Rover - 6%

Danielle Kate Wroe