Men are more likely than women to protect themselves by checking out the status of a used car before purchasing it, according to a new report.
The study by Experian said that women were more likely to buy older cars and purchase from private individuals than their male counterparts.
However, the study showed that the cost of the car was the most important factor for women, who were prepared to risk buying a potentially dodgy car for a good price.
Carrying out a status check on the car could provide vital information such as any outstanding finance, whether it has been reported stolen, mileage anomolies and whether it has been written off.
Commenting on the study, Kirk Fletcher, sales director of Experian's automotive division, said: "It could mean that women have not yet decided on the specific car they want and may be swayed more by what they consider a bargain.
"Men, on the other hand, place more importance on make, model and brand and are likely to pay more for the specific car that they want.
"Again, it could mean that they are perhaps more likely to have already decided on the particular car they want before going out to find it."
A recent study, Roadtodata's Euro Index survey, revealed that new car prices in European markets rose 1.3 per cent in the last quarter of 2006, following four consecutive falls.
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