SOME MOTORISTS put their car on a par with their relatives, according to a new poll.
As many as 9% say they love their car as much as their family, while 33% admit to being "very fond" of their vehicle, the survey by car-finding company Carmony.co.uk found.
A total of 23% of the 1,271 people questioned said they talked to their cars and 20% have given their motor a pet name.
Also, 8% have a picture of their car on their mobile phone and 5% have a picture of their vehicle in their wallet or on their computer.
The survey also showed: :: 44% have had sex in a car and 47% have slept in their vehicle; :: 21% take up two spaces in car parks to protect their motor; :: 4% cover their garage walls with carpet or something similar to stop their motor getting scratched; :: 3% kiss their cars; :: Ford is the most popular company in terms of cars owned, followed by Vauxhall and Peugeot.
Carmony.co.uk marketing director Paul Coleman said: "After a house, a car is often the second most expensive purchase we make and on average the majority of us spend around an hour each day in our vehicles. Therefore it shouldn't be too much of a surprise that UK motorists hold their cars in such high regard.
"However, some behaviour such as stroking the dashboard and hugging the bonnet could be perceived as a step too far."
