Half of drivers are baffled by their motors and have no idea where to put the screen wash, how to pop the bonnet – or even what size engine is under it.
A study of 2,000 drivers found 44 per cent find cars ‘confusing’, with three in 10 unaware how to pump up their tyres – let alone know how much pressure they need in the first place.
A quarter have no idea how to check the tread depth on their tyres, while 24 per cent could not confidently locate the dipstick.
But one in 10 are also puzzled about how many miles per gallon their car can do and 41 per cent do not know the difference between horsepower and miles per hour.
As a result, the study by YesAuto found buying a new car is considered more stressful than starting a new job, taking an exam or managing deadlines at work.
In December 2017, the driving test for learners changed and included a section called “Show me tell me” before moving off and which required a test candidate to explain or demonstrate how to carry out a safety task covering essential things like brakes, lights and engine fluid levels as well as tyre pressures.