More than four in 10 (43%) British motorists are too lazy or too busy to wash their cars, and get someone else to do it.

That figure rises to nearly six in 10 (58%) for time-poor Londoners, according to a survey carried out by AA Cars. In eastern England just over half (54%) of people clean their own cars but in Scotland, the weekend tradition still appears to be in fashion with more than two-thirds (68%) saying they wash their cars, followed by Wales (65%), North East (63%) and South West (62%).

Almost a quarter (22%) of car owners polled now use a pop-up hand car wash, often on a supermarket or out-of-town retailer car park. It means they can shop while having their car cleaned.

The AA-Populus poll, which canvassed 19,619 AA members on how often they clean their cars, and methods used, also revealed that fewer professionals (54%) wash their cars compared to semi-skilled and manual workers (63%). And nearly two-thirds of men (61%) claimed to do a DIY bucket and sponge job, or home pressure washer, compared to 49% of women who prefer to pay to have their cars washed.

One in 10 (10%) respondents give clean the outside of their car once a week, with 29% only giving it a wash once every few months.

Paul Yates, managing director of AA Cars, said: 'The further you move away from London, the more willing it seems people are to get stuck in themselves and clean their cars. Whether it's life getting in the way, or just laziness, many Londoners have no inclination to wash their vehicles.

'The British tradition of washing our cars at the weekend does seem to be dying though. Across the UK, 32% of car owners now outsource the job, with around a third of these opting for an automatic car wash.

'Obvious as it may sound, cleaning your car is a pre-requisite if you're looking to sell. Advertising a dirty vehicle is a sure-fire way to give potential buyers the wrong impression.'

Do you still clean your car or do your have it washed? Do you have an special cleaning tips to share? Email motoring@archant.co.uk