Feeling car sick? It may not be the motion that's to blame. A typical car contains harmful bacteria which could put drivers at high risk of becoming ill, according to research from insurance.co.uk.In a comprehensive study with microbiologists at Aston University, insurance.co.uk found the inside of a typical car has 283 different types of bacteria present, in every squared centimetre (cm2). On average, the dirtiest part of the car was the gear stick, with 356 germs identified every cm2. However, in one instance a car boot had over 850 bacteria present per cm2.Drivers with children and pets were found to be most at risk. In their vehicles, the number and diversity of bacteria greatly increased. In one instance, bacterial traces of excrement were found in the boot of the car, in the same spot as weekly food shopping was regularly placed.Harmful bacteria, including Escherichia coli (E. coli), were identified in some vehicles. This organism is commonly associated with faecal contamination and is capable of causing human disease. It also indicates the potential presence of other dangerous bacteria, including Salmonella and Campylobacter. Worryingly, these strains are capable of surviving on surfaces inside cars, such as a steering wheel or dashboard, for up to a month.The study also revealed that there was a strong correlation between the mileage of the car and the bacterial and fungal air quality. When air and heater blowers are switched on, the number of airborne bacteria and fungi significantly increases, especially in older cars, which are less likely to have air filters.More common types of bacteria were found in all cars. These included Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus luteus (organisms carried around on human skin). Whilst most would not generally cause anything of concern to healthy individuals, Staphylococcus aureus is known to cause infection in susceptible individuals. Other bacteria found included Bacillus, Serratia marcesens and Enterobacter aerogenes. These are typically found in soil and dust and are most likely to be carried into the vehicle on the shoes of car occupants and the paws of dogs and other animals.The insurance.co.uk study found that British motorists spend more than three years of their lives behind the wheel and over a quarter eat en route every week. One in four drivers say their car is littered with food wrappers (27 per cent) and empty drink bottles (26 per cent), while one in six (16 per cent) admit they regularly leave uneaten food in their vehicle. Half of those surveyed admitted their standards of cleanliness left much to be desired and that they would never let their home get into the same condition as their vehicle.Dr Anthony Hilton, Aston University Director of Biology & Biomedical Science, said: 'Whilst most of the bacteria we've found are unlikely to cause serious health problems, some cars, particularly those which regularly carry children and animals, play host to potentially harmful germs.'People would be horrified at the thought of eating off their toilet seat, but few realise eating off their car dashboard is just as likely to make them sick.'Steve Grainger, head of insurance.co.uk, said: 'Given the time we spend in our cars and the amount of money we fork out on them over the years, it's startling to see the lax attitude British drivers have to car cleanliness. Worryingly, this appears to be reflective of an increasingly poor attitude towards vital car maintenance - we've found that one in three drivers would only take their car to a professional if it needed major maintenance work.'When quizzed about the most peculiar items drivers had found in their car, a whole host of unusual and downright unpleasant objects were revealed, including:Top 5 - insects, animals and excrementMice (dead and alive)Dog pooThe neighbour's catBody parts from a dead seagull which a dog had smuggled inMaggots for fishing that were forgotten about and didn't die, but reproduced and grewTop 5 - foodA joint of beef in the boot, which had fallen out of shopping bags weeks agoA 3 year old, green sandwichA baby's bottle under a seat, which had been there for at least 6 monthsA very old chicken nugget, found lodged under a childs car seatA Cadburys Wispa, which had been left long before the re-launchTop 5 - miscellaneousA pair of knickers belonging to a husbands ex girlfriendA used condom in a just-bought second-hand carChilds vomit in a door pocket, which had gone unnoticed for daysThe results of a toddler picking his noseMushrooms growing in the floorThe study and research findings are released as insurance.co.uk launches a new offer to encourage motorists to keep on top of car maintenance. Those comparing car insurance policies on insurance.co.uk until November will receive free membership the National Service Network (NSN), helping to ensure they get a fair deal and great service from a garage or workshop in their area.