What does the car you drive say about you?

I’m writing a book about driving at the moment, and was intrigued when I stumbled upon a press release that claimed a person’s name could have a direct bearing on the type of car they drive.

The research from MoneySupermarket.com shows that while Stephen Fry famously drives around in a black taxi and Jess Ennis was handed the keys to a brand new Jaguar following her success in the Olympics, people named Stephen are most likely to drive a Land Rover, while Jessicas are most to likely drive Ferraris.

Prince William and Kate Middleton thrilled crowds around Buckingham Palace on their wedding day when they went for a spin in a blue Aston Martin belonging to Prince Charles. However, drivers named William are most likely to get behind the wheel of a Ferrari, while Kates prefer the elegance of a Maserati. Elizabeths are most likely to drive a Suzuki, while drivers called Charles are most likely to drive a Mazda.

Meanwhile, celebrity magazines claim Justin Bieber and Harry Styles share a penchant for fast cars. The analysis shows men named Justin are most likely to drive Porsches; not worlds apart from Justin Bieber's real choice of motor, a Fisker Karmer. However, while Harry Styles has recently been seen driving a white Ford Capri he bought on eBay, most UK Harrys prefer the Bentley.

Damiens and Vincents are most likely to drive a Porsche, while Jades and Garys have the greatest affinity with Ford brands. Moving off-road, Bruces and Donalds are more likely to own Jeeps, while Nigels and Rogers prefer Land Rovers.

Those who topped the charts for souped-up Subaru drivers were called Shane, Dale and Carly, while those most likely to drive Skodas are named Norman, Roland and Valerie. The names most commonly associated with Jaguars are Bernard, Malcolm, Audrey and Janet, while those named Jeremy are most likely to drive an Aston Martin; taking after Top Gear’s Mr Clarkson himself!

Do you share one of these names, and if so, do you follow the trend? Or is it all a load of nonsense?

Maybe it’s actually your social outlook that affects the car you drive: the size of your wallet, your age or the number of children you have. Or maybe you want to give people a certain impression in the car that you drive. (You can find out what your car says about you by taking this very scientific, test.)

When we look at a car, we instantly make certain judgements: taking in age, colour and whether it’s in good nick. We also do this with other humans; we can’t help it. It’s the way we process information about people. But this can also be dangerous, because people often leap to the wrong conclusions.

Some people drive great big fancy cars/wear expensive designer gear, but maybe inside they are insecure, depressed and hurting. Others drive battered wagons/wear Tesco clothes but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are inadequate/unworthy. 

While certain vehicles seem to attract certain types of behaviour (what comes to mind when someone says “Audi driver”, for example?), there is always more to a person than what they look like or what car they drive.

The make or model of car you drive does not define who you are as a person. But what you do, say and think when you’re behind the wheel does. Do you revert to type when you’re driving? Do you behave in a way you wouldn’t if you weren’t encapsulated within a metal shell?

Would you drive the way you do if God was in the passenger seat (He is, by the way, seeing as He’s omnipresent and all that)? If so, you auto know better!

Read more from Joy in the next issue of Sorted magazine.