Less than 5% of motorists are planning to buy winter tyres this year, with cost cited as biggest factor behind not purchasing.

A survey of 3,000 respondents conducted by One Poll for Manheim Auctions found that 45% won’t buy because of the cost, 28% don’t think the weather will be bad enough to justify purchasing and 16% don’t know what winter tyres are.

The survey also revealed that 92% of respondents do drive differently in the snow. Of those that didn’t, 63% claimed they didn’t need to as the snow didn’t cause them any problems when driving and they were skillful enough to handle all weather conditions.

Craig Mailey, marketing director, Manheim Auctions, said: "Winter tyres are an investment in safety.

"They will help to keep you on the move and on the road, reduce the risk of accidents and can be used over several winters. The fact that 16% don’t really know what winter tyres are suggests that calling them cold weather tyres would be more helpful."