More than half of female car insurance customers across Northern Ireland and the wider UK feel intimidated taking their vehicle to a garage, new research suggests.

The poll of over 4,000 women by car insurance provider Diamond uncovered a desire among many for female-only garages. Fifty-two per cent of those questioned admitted feeling daunted by visiting a garage, while 31 per cent said they'd prefer women-only services.

A third revealed that, if given the choice, they would opt to buy a car from a female, while 60 per cent claimed they find car salespeople "patronising".

Sian Lewis, managing director of Diamond, pointed out that female motorists aged between 19 and 25 appear to be least confident when taking a vehicle to the garage, while over-55s are the most self-assured about doing so.

"Today's generation of female motorists are knowledgeable about cars and many do basic servicing themselves," she remarked. "According to our research, over 70 per cent of women know how to check the oil, water and tyre pressure on their car."

However, she concluded, female-only garages could eliminate the intimidating quality of what are often considered "men's domain".