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SMELL'S BELLS

I tested all the top car fresheners against market leader Magic Tree and the winner has the smell of a famous sweet

One car freshener has harnessed one of the most popular scents in the world

AIR freshener scents for cars are getting crazier by the day.

As more and more of us try to revive musty or minging motors, chosen aromas range from rhubarb and custard to bacon and even clean towels.

Laura Stott puts car fresheners to the test
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Laura Stott puts car fresheners to the testCredit: Getty - Contributor

Laura Stott sniffs around, and gives her verdicts and ratings out of five.

Rhubarb & Custard, £1 Tesco (in stores)

The smell of Tesco's Rhubarb & Custard car freshener was a tad sickly
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The smell of Tesco's Rhubarb & Custard car freshener was a tad sicklyCredit: Tesco

THIS brightly coloured freshener, a bargain for a quid, is designer-chic to hang from your rear-view mirror. It looks just like the confectionery it is based on, with pink and yellow swirls.

The pong is a bit sickly but put me in mind of the sweet shop treat.

If you want that old- fashioned sweetie jar whiff, it’s great.      

READ MORE TASTE TESTS

Rating: 3/5

Yankee Candles Fluffy Towels Jar, £2.50 tesco.com

The Yankee Candle Fluffy Towels car freshener smelt rather synthetic
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The Yankee Candle Fluffy Towels car freshener smelt rather syntheticCredit: Yankee Candle

FANS of Yankee’s giant candles can take favourite aromas on the road with these “car jar” versions in a range of quirky smells.

Promising four weeks’ scent of clean towels, this one to hang in your car packed a punch I didn’t like.

Rather synthetic, it made me sneeze.

McDonald's launches whole new range of VERY unusual products - and baffled fans are 'obsessed'

If the laundry smelled like it, I’d change my washing powder.  

Rating: 1/5

Bacon Air Freshener, £8 amazon.co.uk

Amazon's Bacon Air Freshener is a bit pricey
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Amazon's Bacon Air Freshener is a bit priceyCredit: Archie McPhee

RATHER pricey.

But if you love that brekkie sarnie whiff, you might fork out.

Designed to look like three juicy rashers hanging from your rear-view mirror, it is a statement.

But the smell reminded me of a Frazzles snack and will split opinion.

It was strong but not the nicest, and clearly this is not for the veggie crowd.

Rating: 2/5

Buttered Popcorn £7.99 chemicalguys.co.uk

The Buttered Popcorn car freshener neatly captures one of the most crowd-pleasing aromas avaliable
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The Buttered Popcorn car freshener neatly captures one of the most crowd-pleasing aromas avaliableCredit: Chemical Guys

FUN, cinema-themed scent in a spray bottle you can use in the car or home.

Capturing one of the most crowd-pleasing aromas, it’s perfect for banishing nasty niffs.

A really nice nose that replicates the mouth-watering buttery scent of just-popped kernels at the movies.

Strong enough to counter reeks of muddy pets or sports kit but not too harsh or artificial.

Nice.

Rating: 4/5

Magic Tree Leather £1.66 B&Q

Magic Tree does the job for a good affordable price
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Magic Tree does the job for a good affordable priceCredit: Little Trees

LITTLE TREES retro classic is an old favourite that works almost instantly.

This rather macho leather- scented version looks like the cowhide it’s themed on and I was taken with the design.

It’s quite stylish in a naff way. Its scent wasn’t my favourite but, hung in the car, it does the job for an all-right price.    

Rating: 3/5

Jelly Belly Birthday Cake £3.00 Tesco (in stores)

Jelly Belly's Birthday Cake car freshener is good value for money
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Jelly Belly's Birthday Cake car freshener is good value for moneyCredit: Jelly Belly

THIS glittery, squidgy design to hang on your mirror brings a disco vibe, resembling a jellybean sweet.

While I didn’t originally opt to make my car smell like a cake, I was surprised how nice this smelled – like a gooey slice of some-thing yummy.

It’s not too artificial or chemical, it’s good value and should last well.

Rating: 5/5

Old Car Smell, free while stocks last scrapcarcomparison.co.uk/blog/old-car-smell/

Old Car Smell is very popular
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Old Car Smell is very popularCredit: Supplied

WHY make your car smell like a banger if it isn’t already?

Well, it seems this is in demand among drivers of new motors.

The cardboard hanger claims to smell of muddy dog, drive-thrus and summer road trips, but the latter suggests more vintage sports car than old Fiesta.

Either way, an OK scent. I got whiffs of old leather.

READ MORE SUN STORIES

Not overpowering or chemical.  

Rating: 3/5

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