Ten things you didn’t know you needed

WHAT is it that captures the attention of the car buyer or enthusiast? The brand, the colour, the style, the engine?

All of the above but there are some interesting little quirks that have attracted the attention of car buyers. Here’s the Top 10 according to CitNOW

• The Volkswagen Golf GTIs golf ball gear knob topped a poll of 2,000 drivers by CitNOW to find the nation’s most popular secret features some owners didn’t even realise were fitted on their cars.
• Volkswagen Beetle Vase dating back more than 50 years, the factory-fitted vase adds a floral touch to the popular Beetle. Owners could pop in their favourite flower – or even a pen.
• Vauxhall Corsa FlexFix Integrated Bike Rack, an innovative solution in the later 2000s. The FlexFit system appeared behind the rear number plate after you lifted a handle in the boot. You could pull it out, lock it in place, slip on the extra rear lights provided and load up your bikes.
• SKODA Integrated Umbrella: Hidden in the door pocket out of sight ready to keep you dry if you get caught in the rain.
• MINI Ambient Lighting: Lighting strips throughout the cabin allowing you to change the colours to create a personal lightshow. The tech even beams a MINI badge onto the floor when you open the door.
• Honda Magic Seats: A highlight of the Jazz before being introduced onto the Civic. The magic behind them is that they allow you to fold up the entire seat to free up floor space for large, bulky items.
• MINI Convertible Openometer: If you have a convertible, how much time do you spend with the roof down. The Openometer would tell you exactly that.
• Nissan Curry Hook: First mounted on the dashboard of the Almera in 1996. It lets you tie the bag up for your trip back home, safe from potholes or speedbumps making a mess of your motor.
• Renault Modus Boot Chute: Just in case someone parks too close behind. The boot chute allowed the lower portion of the tailgate to be tilted down so you can get into the luggage area without lifting the whole lid.
• DS 3 Integrated Perfume Dispenser: Forget a little tree dangling from your rear-view mirror, Citroen offers a built-in air freshener to pump your chosen scent around the DS 3 cabin.

These memorable features – available on used cars costing less than £10,000 – can often be a surprise when a consumer buys the car on the second-hand market.

CitNOW, the video technology pioneer, said a third of drivers would consider buying a car having only seen a video of it sent by a retailer.

Research shows 88% of British drivers would ignore an online car advert if it didn’t have images or a video – and 50% of respondents said a video tour is “important” or “essential” when buying a car.