Almost half of drivers use their car as a mobile wardrobe

It’s a sensible idea to always keep a jacket or even a sleeping bag in the boot of your car in case you break down in winter.

But almost half of drivers use their car as a travelling wardrobe, according to new research.

Insurance company 1st Central compiled data that suggests 47% of people keep clothes in their car at all times.

And 1.8 million drivers are apparently using their car to hide new – and presumably expensive – purchases from their partner.

An emotional 682,000 people even admit to keeping an item of clothing in the car that once belonged to an ex because they can’t bear to throw it out.

Men are twice as likely to hide a purchase as women and they are also more likely to keep sports equipment in their car. 1st Central reports an estimated £1 billion worth of football boots is being kept on British driveways.

Among the odd findings is a rise in people using driving gloves, after celebrities like Rihanna and Lady Gaga were recently spotted wearing them. Almost one in five people questioned (18%) said they couldn’t drive without them – including 20% of 18-24-year-olds.

Other items in the so-called “cardrobe” include feather boas, rubber gloves, gas masks and tutus.

Andy James, UK CEO at 1st Central, said: “With people struggling for space in their homes, it’s no wonder the nation is turning their cars into a travelling wardrobe.

“If you add it up, some of the kit we keep in our cars not only builds up in weight, eating into our fuel consumption, but can equate to a hefty price tag too. Expensive football boots, sports kit and designer sunglasses aren’t necessarily covered by your car insurance, so drivers do need to keep this in mind.

“While insurers will cover motorists for damage to clothes left in their cars or, in the worst case scenario, items that are stolen, we’d advise that drivers keep their irreplaceable items in their homes.”

Picture: PA. Nearly half of drivers admit using their cars as travelling wardrobes.