Mercedes drivers voted the best owners ahead of Audi and BMW
Do you want to know where the most desirable neighbours might be? Then look out for streets lined with Mercedes and Audis, claims a new poll.
In a sign that badge snobbery is alive and well, a poll of 1,000 by leasing firm UK Carline, 36 per cent said the types of cars in a street would directly affect their decision on whether to live in the area.
They said Mercedes Benz motors indicated the best neighbours, with 43 per cent seeing them as favourable, followed by Audis at 41 per cent. Streets filled with Subarus were seen as the 'least desirable'.
he results of the poll founded that one in four would be influenced by what cars were parked on the street - so much so that just over a third of people would be put off buying a property just by seeing a car they didn't like the look of parked in the neighbourhood.
But it wasn't just Mercedes that came out glowing in the results.
In fact, all luxury German cars were generally held in high regard with British people, with Audi and BMW ranked second and third, respectively, and Porsche coming in fifth.
Holding up the British end for good streets, was Jaguar in fourth place.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, it was Subaru owners who were voted as the worst neighbours.
However, that might be more closely related to a fast disappearing stigma associated with models like the rally-car-derived Impreza, which is becoming less common on the road.
Instead, Subaru's range now consists mainly of practical SUVs and estates.
Meanwhile, despite ranking well on the list of good neighbours, German car brand BMW clearly polarises opinion, with owners also ranking third for those perceived as undesirable to live alongside.
As well as cars parked on the street, other factors which affected people's opinions of an area were rubbish bins overflowing on the street (70 per cent) or groups of teenagers hanging around the area (68 per cent).
Jonathan Nolan, general manager at UK Carline, said: 'We think it's really interesting that so many people make judgements about their neighbours based on the cars they drive.
'Perhaps the Subaru has a stereotype of being driven by a boy racer, whereas it's no surprise to see the big three German brands as the most preferred in our survey, led by the Mercedes-Benz.
'Thankfully, since leasing makes prestige brands more affordable, it's definitely much easier to keep up with the Joneses on your street and raise your home's curb appeal with a brand new lease car.'
-Daily Mail