A new study by Scrap Car Comparison has revealed that BMW drivers are most likely to be psychopaths, in addition to those that drive electric cars or have personalised number plates.
The research tasked 2 000 drivers of varying car makes and model to complete the ‘Psychopath Test’- a twelve-question survey that is able to define where a person falls on the psychopathy scale, and therefore how likely they are to exhibit abnormal, anti-social behaviour. Ranked on a scale of zero (no psychopathy) to 36 (psychopathy likely) the average score across all participants was 6,6.
Scoring almost double the national average, BMW drivers ranked the highest on the psychopathy scale, with an average score of 12,1 out of 36, while Audi drivers were narrowly behind, scoring 11,7. Owners of both of the German car manufacturers have long had a reputation for being temperamental out on the roads, and the findings suggest that these drivers may be more likely to exhibit psychopathic traits such as superficial charm, grandiose sense of self-worth, and a lack of remorse or guilt.
Fiat owners completed the podium as the third most likely drivers to be psychopaths, but on the other end of the scale, Skoda owners were found to have the lowest possibility of being psychopaths, scoring just 3,2 on average.
Which drivers have the most psychopathic tendencies – Top 10
| Rank | Car brand | Average psychopathy score (/36) |
| 1 | BMW | 12,1 |
| 2 | Audi | 11,7 |
| 3 | Fiat | 7,0 |
| 4 | Mazda | 6,4 |
| 5 | Honda | 6,3 |
| 6 | Ford | 6,1 |
| 7 | Mercedes-Benz | 5,9 |
| 8 | Citroen | 5,8 |
| 9 | Volkswagen | 5,4 |
| 10 | Hyundai | 5,3 |
In addition to studying car brands, the Scrap Car Comparison researchers also analysed whether levels of psychopathy could be defined by the fuel type, car colour or even style of number plate owners go for.
With results revealing an average score of 16,0 out of 36, electric car owners were found to have the highest levels of psychopathic personality traits across the entire study. The study found that those who opt for gold as their car colour harbour higher psychopathic tendencies (12,7) than other colour choices, with red scoring the lowest (4,9). Drivers who own a personalised number plate were also found to have more than double the levels of psychopathy than those who don’t. Personalised plate owners scored an average of 13,8 on the psychopathy test, versus the calmer 5,3 scored by those with standard plates.
Dan Gick, Managing Director of Scrap Car Comparison commented “The popularity of true crime documentaries has resulted in a worldwide fascination with psychopaths. So, we were curious to discover whether there was any correlation between the car you drive and where you might sit on the psychopath scale.
While our findings might back up some existing stereotypes of drivers who are unsafe on the road, it’s worth noting that none of the levels seen in our study were any cause for concern, and while certain TV shows or films might trivialise what it means it be a psychopath, it is a condition that should be taken seriously. For us, the number one priority is ensuring that whether you drive a BMW or a Skoda, you’re staying safe while driving so that your car doesn’t have to prematurely hit the scrap heap!”
