As many as 1.4 million households are sitting on a four-wheel treasure trove in the form of unused cars, it is claimed.

New research suggests these vehicles, which perform no useful function and are gently rusting away, could be worth a combined £9.5 billion.

Against a background of the continuing cost of living squeeze the funds released from selling on these vehicles could provide a useful safety net.

The online car marketplace Carwow estimates the average value of each of these vehicles is around £6,717.

Carwow has spoken to dealers to identify which makes are most in demand and are likely to offer the best return.

The top 10 most in-demand makes

1. Volkswagen

2. BMW

3. Audi

4. Volvo

5. Mercedes

6. Nissan

7. Ford

8. Kia

9. Hyundai

10. Vauxhall

Consumer Editor at Carwow, John Rawlings, said: “It’s surprising to see that even just a small percentage of owners who have a car they don’t drive equates to such a high volume of vehicles across the UK that are simply sitting unused.

“Perhaps you’ve got a second family car that’s no longer needed or a teenager who’s moved to university and left their first car behind.

But if you’ve got a vehicle parked on your drive that’s never used, consider getting it valued – it might be worth more than you think. Especially if it matches one of the current most in-demand makes by dealers.

“Remember that if your car has been sitting unused for a long period, you’ll want to give it a good service to ensure it’s running smoothly before you sell it.

“Rust can accumulate on brakes, and fluids may need changing. A good clean can also do wonders to prepare it for a sale.”