ALMOST half of motorists struggle to get their heads around in-car tech, according to a study.

Research revealed that despite motoring tech working to improve our driving experience, a large percentage are baffled by the amount of buttons and switches.

Conducted by Jardine Motors Group, the study found over 50 per cent of drivers have no idea how to use features like lane keep assist, motorway speed alerts or even utilise their seat memory settings.

And many admit to being clueless about how to enable sports mode or cruise control, while others have trouble operating self-parking.

The study of 1,000 motorists who have bought a new car in the last three years showed over half of London drivers felt they were wasting a lot of the technology their car had to offer.

Researchers discovered 32 per cent of new car owners are confused about how to operate the in-car sat nav, whilst four in 10 are clueless about their reverse sensors, climate control and heated seats.

The study also revealed a significant number of motorists are not making the most of their multimedia settings, with 15 per cent unable to work their digital radio set up and 28 per cent having no idea how to operate their car’s Bluetooth.

More than half of those polled said their car is full of buttons and switches they don’t know how to use, while 49 per cent believe they are wasting a lot of what their car has to offer.

And over half have even pressed the wrong button or selected the wrong function when trying to do something technical.

Shockingly, more than a third have never opened their owner’s manual to try and learn how to operate the car properly.

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Of the motorists surveyed, 71 per cent of over 55s felt it only took them 0-6 months to get to grips with the main technical features in modern cars.

Meanwhile, only 51 per cent of 18-24 year olds felt comfortable within the same timeframe.

But despite certain confusion around current advances in driving technology, the study found it wasn’t all doom and gloom for in-car tech.

Eight in 10 new car owners admitted the technology and gadgetry of a car does influence their decision on whether to buy it.

Meanwhile, 76 per cent said they would probably buy a car that had more in-car functions than they actually need.

Matt Wrigley of Jardine Motors Group, said: “Technology strongly influences our choice in a new car, even if we are not entirely sure how it assists our driving.

”Many of us are seduced by it at the point of sale, but forget to figure out how to use them in the excitement of driving away in our new motor.

“In-car technology has come on such leaps and bounds in a short amount of time.

”From improving the overall safety of drivers and passengers, to bringing an added layer of excitement of being behind the wheel.”