London - A gleaming set of wheels parked out front used to be a source of pride for motorists.
But it seems the desire to keep our cars sparkling is falling by the wayside as our pace of life accelerates.
A poll found that three-quarters of women admit to never washing their own vehicle, while among men the figure is a third.
Even children looking for extra pocket money shun the task – with just 5 per cent of parents saying they have asked their offspring to dig out the bucket and sponge.
A lack of spare time is thought to be behind the figures, as well as the ready availability of automated garage car washes and the sheer size of modern vehicles.
However, it seems some parts of the country are more enthusiastic about wielding a chamois leather than others.
Drivers who live in Birmingham or Sheffield are most likely to clean their own cars every week, while the worst performers live in Bath and Oxford, according to the survey for car hire firm OSV.
Do you ever take to a bucket and water?
Daily Mail