There are many reasons car buyers give for choosing their vehicles . These could include better performance, special deals or even sex appeal. But what seals the deal best? Which unique factor gives one car the edge over the other? Is it about available car finance, miles per gallon, or a sporty exterior?

A recent AA personal loans survey has revealed that all of the above factors impress car buyers, but readers may be surprised to what extent. For instance, performance and cosmetics were not held in particularly high esteem.

The AA found that of those car owners looking to change their vehicle in the next year, just 11 per cent were looking for a faster or more powerful car, and just 9 per cent were looking for gadgets and ‘add-ons.’ Furthermore, just 6 per cent were looking for a sportier car that had greater sex appeal.

Reasons for buying a new car were found to be more concerned with saving money . Most important, according to the study, was to choose a reliable vehicle that is cheap to insure and economical to run. 10 per cent looked for safety, and only one in five people looked for cars that were environmentally friendly.

The AA loans study indicates that money is at the forefront of most peoples mind when shopping for a new vehicle. This could explain increasing numbers of car buyers choosing second-hand vehicles, and the increasing popularity of shopping around for car finance .