London, UK, November 10, 2026 — Analysis of telematics data finds BMW and Audi drivers scored lowest for harsh braking and other metrics
More than half of BMW and Audi drivers scored ‘Poor’ or worse for harsh braking, according to new data from Marshmallow Car Insurance.
Marshmallow Move, the insurer’s telematics service, analysed over 10 million trips over a three-month period.
Different behaviours were scored out of 100 and grouped into six ratings: Dangerous, Very Poor, Poor, Average, Good, and Excellent.
BMW drivers scored Poor or worse 55% of the time for harsh braking. This is well below the score for speeding, where they only scored Poor or worse 20% of the time. It was also above the total average harsh braking score of 51%.
Audi drivers scored Poor or worse 54% of the time for harsh braking.
Nearly 1 in 4 (24%) BMW drivers had a “Dangerous” braking score, with only Audi having a higher percentage (25%).
Audi and BMW drivers worst for harsh braking
By vehicle make, BMW drivers recorded the lowest braking scores in Marshmllow Car Insurance’s Harsh Braking Report.
Of the 25 car manufacturers measured, BMW, Vauxhall, SEAT and Audi were the only four with an average braking rating of ‘Poor’.
The data shows that 55% of BMW drivers scored Poor or worse for harsh braking.
|
Car make |
Braking |
Phone usage |
Cornering |
Speeding |
Acceleration |
|
BMW |
55% |
40% |
30% |
20% |
26% |
|
Audi |
54% |
39% |
30% |
21% |
26% |
|
Vauxhall |
53% |
31% |
25% |
15% |
9% |
|
Ford |
52% |
32% |
27% |
15% |
10% |
|
Nissan |
52% |
31% |
17% |
12% |
9% |
|
Honda |
51% |
28% |
23% |
10% |
7% |
|
Volkswagen |
50% |
35% |
26% |
14% |
18% |
|
Mercedes-Benz |
50% |
39% |
21% |
19% |
21% |
|
Hyundai |
49% |
32% |
20% |
12% |
10% |
|
Toyota |
48% |
29% |
16% |
11% |
7% |
Stephen Hemmings, Marshmallow’s Group Product Manager for Telematics, said: “Distraction can reduce the time drivers have to recognise and respond to changing road conditions, increasing the likelihood of sudden braking.”
“We hope these insights will encourage drivers to give the road their full attention and anticipate hazards as best as possible.”
“With Marshmallow Move, as well as getting a discount up front, drivers get insights on their driving and tips on how to improve, helping them to stay safe on the roads.”
More than half had ‘Poor’ or worse braking scores
It wasn’t just BMW drivers that scored poorly for harsh braking.
More than half (51%) of the drivers analysed received a braking rating of Poor or worse.
Drivers who use their phone more often while driving also scored lower on braking.
The worst 25% of phone users had a “Poor” braking score on average. Whereas the best 25% of phone users were rated “Good” on braking.
