Most concernedly, the survey revealed drivers were more prone to committing serious traffic violations if they didn’t own the vehicle.

83% of drivers surveyed admitted that they would be more likely to use a mobile phone and 67% said they were more likely to “lane hop”.

Two thirds confessed to driving through traffic lights when in a company car.

Financial director of uSwitch, Michael Ossei, urged drivers to take more caution on the road: ‘A company car doesn’t give you carte-blanche for risky driving – taking liberties with your company car could not only drive your boss round the bend, but also your car insurance premium up.’

With an employer responsible for insurance and upkeep, drivers are also less concerned about condition of a company car than their own.

Only 27% said they were more concerned about damaging their work car, and less than a quarter bother to regularly check the oil or water.

Drivers are also guilty of failing to keep their company car clean, with six in ten more likely to eat and drink in it and 53% more likely to leave litter.

Overall, only 24% of drivers surveyed worry about keeping their company car clean and only 21% worry about the security of their work car more than their personal one.

Mr Ossei continued: ‘A company car is a real perk, especially for cash strapped consumers.

‘Unfortunately our research shows that some drivers aren’t just using it, but are guilty of abusing it, treating their work car very differently to their own car which is funded out of their own pocket.