Stereotypes tell us that female drivers don't know anything whatsoever about cars or motoring - in fact, it is a wonder that ladies even manage to buy car insurance for women. However, a recent study by Direct Line has revealed that women are all too aware of their lack of mechanical knowledge.
The cheap car insurance company surveyed a large number of female drivers who have taken their car to a garage in the past year, and found that 81% were flummoxed by the terminology the mechanic used.
Further, 57% felt that their ignorance of mechanical matters put them at risk of being swindled into having unnecessary work carried out.
Baffled female drivers reported "isofix", "life-off oversteer", and "hybrid powertrain" as being some of the most confusing terms used by garages.
Lee-Anne Bass, spokesperson for the car insurance for women experts at CoverGirl Car Insurance Services, said: "This survey shows how just how widespread this lack of understanding of all things mechanical is amongst ladies.
"If you are interested in learning about how your car works and want to have more confidence when you take your car to the garage, we would highly recommend going on a short course that covers the basics."
Valentine's Day car security warning for women
Zanzibar police ban woman drivers
Online car insurance site says girls mature faster
2007 to see TV adverts for woman car insurance brand
4 in 10 want fame, woman car insurance firm finds
Women reveal lack of car insurance knowledge
18-year-old Irish woman caught driving at 94mph
Gadgets prove to be motor insurance quote risk
Ladies more likely to use hand-held mobiles
Where are my car keys?!
A history of car insurance
Car crime and car insurance companies
Tree crash teacher's family forget cheap car insurance
Brandy sets bad example for women
Study shows men 77% more likely to die in road accidents
In-car exercise regime set up for woman drivers
Lancashire woman driver behaves bizarrely
Women drivers more aware of drink drive limit
Woman driver escapes tree fall
FemaleFirst warns of mobile phone penalties
Car insurance and the internet
A look at car insurance intermediaries
Manchester car insurance claims 'through the roof'
Carjacking woman drivers is normal in Detroit
Lively puppy causes woman driver to be arrested
Tree-crushed car gets parking ticket
Women alerted to thieves who target defrosting cars
Monday 22nd January poses cheap car insurance risk
Woman driver follows sat nav onto railway tracks
Cheap car insurance firm reveals in-car quarrels