Forget the new car, motorists snap up the smell

Take a whiff of pear drops, add the nectar of paint thinners and a sniff of nail varnish, mix together and the result is a top selling odour in demand from millions of drivers.

This distinctive fragrance is not the latest celebrity perfume but the combination chemists have created up to make old bangers smell like new cars.

The mixture, known as VOCs (volatile organic compounds), imitates the sweet tang of polished leather, plastic, walnut and upholstery and in these recession hit times has become the top selling air freshener bought by motorists.

Called simply New Car Air Freshener the secret formula was first developed in the US to recreate the showroom feel and boost sales of second hand vehicles.

It has become more popular than vanilla, fresh linen, sea ocean or fruity strawberry, cherry, blueberry and citrus among car owners wanting to spruce up their motors, according to car accessory retailer Halfords.

“Our customers tell us how much they love the sensation of a new car and that smell is one of the most important components. Unfortunately many can’t afford a new car but for a few pounds with our scent they can live the dream every time they drive,’ says Maria Dufficey, car accessories expert at Halfords. “It has become our top selling line.”

Lisa Hipgrave, The British Fragrance Association’s director explains: “Smell is one of our most powerful senses. It is very closely linked to the brain and provokes a very emotional responses - often linked to a memory.”

“The new car smell triggers feelings of well being and can conjure up thoughts of a happy childhood - like a trip in the back of Dad’s new car. Also, many people feel an enormous sense of achievement when they buy a new car and so the smell can be linked to feelings of success.”

For more information or to buy, visit Halfords.com