Car saleswomen may be few and far between, but a new survey reveals the majority of us would trust a woman more than a man to sell us a car.

FORGET buying a motor from Swiss Toni or Phil's Car Lot, new research has revealed that Lorraine Kelly and Paula Radcliffe are the celebrities that most women drivers would trust to sell them a reliable vehicle.

And overall, both men and women would be more likely to trust a female car salesperson.

"I think people feel less pressured by a woman salesperson," said Lynn Crompton, who has worked as a senior sales executive for Bowker BMW, Trident Park, Blackburn, for 20 years.

"Lots of my customers are the same ones I had 20 years ago - they come back because I help find them the right car rather than getting them to buy any car for the sake of a sale."

With Phil Mitchell's recent dodgy dealings of cut and shuts doing nothing to increase the reputation of the second-hand car dealer, AA Personal Loans polled 1,500 motorists to find out which celebrities embody the characteristics of a trustworthy car salesperson.

TV presenter Lorraine Kelly was identified as the celebrity people would most regard as a reliable car salesperson with more than one sixth of the vote (17%) and a strong female following - 22% voted for her compared to 13% of men.

"I think the qualities people found attractive about Lorraine Kelly were that she's perceived as a very open and empathetic person," said Lynn.

"She looks trustworthy and like she wouldn't do you any harm, which is an important quality. A good salesperson is professional and looks after the customer."

At a time when the gender divide in car buying is closing, with women driving demand for second-hand vehicles, it is significant that four of the top five choices of trustworthy car salespeople in the poll were women.

And although women prefer to buy a car from another woman, that's not because they'd rather discuss colour and interior than engine power.

Lynn believes women are more aware than ever when buying a car.

"It's a very old-fashioned stereotype to think that women walk in and say I'll have a red one'," she said.

"Nowadays women are very clued-up. They've done their homework and they know all about gear ratios and engine size. When a woman comes into the showroom she usually knows exactly what she wants."

And some car salesmen have had to adapt their patter to avoid patronising women customers.

"When a couple come in to buy a car together it used to be that the salesman would only talk to the man, but over the years they've learnt not to do that," said Lynn.

Mark Huggins, head of AA personal loans, which conducted the survey, said: "Our research started out as a bit of fun, but actually says quite a lot about the characteristics that people associate with being a trustworthy salesperson.

"With the gender balance in the car market shifting, women being just as likely to buy a second hand car as men, it makes sense that many would prefer to buy a car from a woman."