Aston Martins voted 'best status symbol'

AN ASTON Martin is the car to be seen driving if you want people to believe you've 'made it', according to an offbeat new study.

Research carried out by Auto Trader among 1,024 drivers showed that the British brand's cars are, perhaps unsurprisingly, the ones that most Brits think highest of, beating the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini and Bentley down the order.

In fact, the top three positions in the survey were filled by British car makers, with Bentley and Rolls Royce second and third respectively.

Elsewhere in the survey 70% of people admit they think of a car as a status symbol, with 50% seeing someone who drives a flashy car as an independent individual and a third of the population finding them more attractive.

So next time you want to impress your fellow motorist, channel your inner James Bond and get yourself an Aston.

The top 10 'made it' car brands:

1. Aston Martin

2. Bentley

3. Rolls Royce

4. BMW

5. Ferrari

6. Audi

7. Jaguar

8. Mercedes

9. Lamborghini

10. Porsche

By Press Association reporter