Brits unveil love for unusual scents including nail polish and tarmac, survey finds

A study of 2,000 adults found we have a love for the smell of rain, the 'new car' scent, and newspaper pages - while others are partial to shoe polish, pet food and TCP antiseptic cream

Brits have revealed their love for some rather unconventional scents, with nail polish, tarmac, and tennis balls topping the list of peculiar favourites. A survey involving 2,000 adults uncovered a fondness for the smell of rain, the distinctive 'new car' aroma, and even the scent of fresh newspaper pages.

Other quirky favourites that made the list are shoe polish, pet food, and the medicinal whiff of TCP antiseptic cream. Despite this, around one in five admit to feeling somewhat sheepish about their attraction to these unusual odours, which also count cigarette smoke, manure, and the damp scent of a wet dog among them.

In a celebration of the beloved 'new car' fragrance, Fred Sirieix has collaborated with Auto Trader, the online marketplace for new and used cars, to curate a collection of unique scent profiles for different car brands. These olfactory descriptions aim to encapsulate the spirit of each brand, ranging from Land Rover's earthy tones to Vauxhall's evocative mix of British oak and tobacco leaf.

The maitre d' from First Dates commented: "Some people might not like to admit that they enjoy unusual scents. But taste is subjective, and one person's rose might be another's seaweed we don't like to judge."

Additionally, the research indicated that 21 per cent of participants would love for the 'new car smell' to remain as long as they have their vehicle. A quarter of Brits would buy an electric car to avoid the smell of petrol, and 14 per cent would go electric to keep that 'new car smell' for longer, according to a study. The research also found that 31% strongly dislike it when the new car smell starts to fade.

Interestingly, 47 per cent of adults associate strange smells with positive memories. Furthermore, 63 per cent believe that scents can affect their mood, and 45 per cent could be persuaded to make a purchase if the item has a pleasing aroma.

The study revealed that Brits are more likely to prefer natural scents over synthetic ones (68 per cent compared to just 5 per cent). Citrus was voted the best scent category by 34 per cent, followed closely by woody (33 per cent) and floral (32 per cent) aromas.

The OnePoll.com study also found that 46 per cent of participants associate certain smells with people they've met, and 63% can be transported back to a childhood holiday by a particular scent. Erin Baker, editorial director at Auto Trader, said: "People often find themselves drawn to unusual scents because they evoke strong emotions or memories.

"When you hear the term 'new car smell', you can instantly imagine what that smells like. It's a very evocative smell that can bring joy, pride and relief the moment you step into your new vehicle and we had a lot of fun trying to pinpoint exactly what those smells are with the help of Fred's discerning nose."

Top 20 'odd' smells Brits enjoy

1. Freshly cut grass.
2. Rain.
3. New car smell.
4. Petrol.
5. Pages of a book/newspaper.
6. A baby's head.
7. Tarmac.
8. Nail polish.
9. Shoe polish.
10. TCP antiseptic cream.
11. Nail varnish remover.
12. Tennis balls.
13. Chlorine.
14. Cigarette smoke.
15. Cat's fur.
16. Manure.
17. Stale beer.
18. Sweat.
19. Wet dog.
20. Dog/cat breath.

FRED SIRIEIX’S BESPOKE SMELLING NOTES FOR NEW CARS:

• Renault – Combining comfort and style, Renault brings out fresh mountain breeze fortified by warmer tones of aromatic embers, complemented by soft textures of sandalwood and clean pine needles.
• Ford – Imploring an athletic design, Ford’s focused interior styling is exploding with earthy oak hues, stabilised by the refreshing herbal notes of fresh-cut grass and lighter flower blossoms.
• Hyundai – Hyundai’s design philosophy of "Sensuous Sportiness," brings vibrant mix of sweet apricot and clean cotton, moderated by the warmth of honey and vanilla with subtle exposure to notes of polished metal.
• Land Rover – Designed to encompass revolutionary luxury, Land Rover maximises the unique polished metal aromatics with a robust fusion of rich leather and cedarwood, accented by the fresh scent of rain-soaked wood and a hint of wildflowers from the open countryside.
• Audi – Based on Audi’s urbansphere design concept creating “a lounge on wheels”, the complex smell notes feature undertones of pine with subtle hints of black pepper and cedarwood, alluding to earthy tones that are cut through by the scent of clean metal.
• BMW – With the immaculate BMW Individual fine-grain ‘Merino’ leather used, this creates an aroma of lighter, sweeter citrus-like hibiscus notes, grounded by the smokier feel of candle wax and hints of rich leather.
• Vauxhall – Built to be bold and pure, Vauxhall paints a nostalgic blend of liquorice and smoky tobacco leaf, with brighter notes of eucalyptus and the calming scent of beeswax.
• Mercedes Benz – Iconically desirable and aesthetically appealing, Mercedes-Benz embraces luxury with rich senses of suede with deep undertones of hazelnut and vanilla, lifted by the subtle sweetness of lavender and a whisper of freshly cut hay.