Almost a quarter of all drivers have used their cars as a mobile toilet according to new research.

A massive 22 per cent say when they have to go, they go – whether there are nearby toilet facilities or not.

Perhaps more worryingly, only 14 per cent of respondents have a container at hand.

Giving a whole new meaning to the phrase 'a bog-standard car', 40 per cent say their need to urinate urgently has had an adverse effect on their driving skills.

Thirty five per cent say the hard shoulder is the most popular stop for instant bladder relief, which is hardly surprising given a similar number believe some roadside restaurants actually dissuade them from using the facilities.

Half of the drivers surveyed by motorinsurance.co.uk say they want more roadside facilities, but a third would still prefer to use the hard shoulder than a roadside loo anyway.

A straw poll in the Auto Trader office revealed only one member of staff has relieved themselves in their car.

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