Why nearly 1 in 3 are embarrassed at the state of their car

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Uncashed lotto tickets, old Halloween decorations, stuffed animal collections, and a Sammy Sosa bobblehead are some of the most unique things taking up space in Americans’ cars, according to new research.

The new poll of 2,000 Americans found that many car owners have taken to utilizing their vehicles as mobile storage units and explored the weird, wonderful or practical additions to people’s rides.

One third of those who currently own a car say they keep clothes in their vehicle, with nearly a quarter (23%) of the nation’s cars playing host to an array of old food wrappers strewn about.

On top of that, 21% say that dropped food can be found on the floor of their car, with 36% reporting they have old bottles, cans or takeout cups currently taking up valuable space.

The research emerged in the study by Guessing Headlights (http://guessingheadlights.com), which also found that, despite evidence to the contrary, 46% of car owners believe the state of their car ranges from somewhat tidy to very tidy, while a third (34%) are flat-out embarrassed at the state of their car.

Though 16% of honest respondents admit their car falls somewhere on the “messy” spectrum, with 19% saying it exists on a plane between messy and tidy.

Are Gen Z the tidiest generation? Interestingly, it was the youngest age group surveyed who felt most confident that their car was kept in a “very tidy” state (32%).

Baby boomers, meanwhile, were the most likely generation to readily admit their car was messy, with 21% agreeing outright.

The state of our cars is such that 34% of car owners say they’d be embarrassed if someone they knew had a look inside of it.

Conducted by Talker Research for Guessing Headlights, the study found that our relationship to our cars may be more personal than one might think.

According to the data, 49% of car owners feel that the current state of their car’s interior is a fair reflection of their personality.

On top of that, half of car owners also feel they know their car so well that they could pick it out from a lineup just from the smell alone.

INTERESTING ITEMS CURRENTLY INSIDE AMERICANS’ CARS

A Sammy Sosa bobblehead
Uncashed lotto tickets
Old Halloween decorations
My husband’s fake leg
A dog stroller
Cassette tapes
False teeth
Golf clubs
My jams and jellies
Fake money
Camping shower

Survey methodology

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 Americans. The survey was administered and conducted online by Talker Research between December 5th and December 10th, 2025.

To view the complete methodology as part of AAPOR’s Transparency Initiative, please visit the Talker Research Process and Methodology page.

Survey questions

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