Used car dealers told CarGurus that they have come face-to-face with snakes, parrots and a rifle on test drives in a survey to determine the most bizarre things car buyers brought along for the ride.

The online car retail platform – founded by TripAdvisor co-founder Langley Steinert – claims to have “surveyed thousands” of its independent UK used car dealer partners to give an insight into the peculiar foibles of British car buyers.

And it found that a 12-foot snake, a mattress and a pair of parrots were among the strangest things that potential car buyers have brought along to a test drive.

Dealers revealed that many people bring their pets – including fish, cats, a Great Dane in a child’s car seat, snakes and even a horse – to their test drive and several reported customers bringing the ashes of dead relatives.

Here is CarGurus’ top 10 most bizarre things buyers brought to test drive:

A ‘lucky’ egg
A horse
A rifle
A 12-foot pet snake
An accordion
Two parrots
A mattress
The ashes of a deceased relative
Slippers
A truncheon

Chris Knapman, editor of CarGurus, said: “These examples might be at the extremes of what car buyers have brought along on test drives, but they do highlight the importance of making sure a potential purchase is fit for purpose.

“After all, it’d be a shame to get your new car home only to discover your beloved 12-foot pet snake didn’t fit in the boot.”