Ok actually I do like your second rephrasing of that question, but if that's your point I think you are overstating it with the car analogy. I did recently miss a job I thought I wanted, possibly by being too honest - who knows but if that was indeed the reason maybe I dodged a bullet there.

Also though I agree with quietbritishjim's take, from the other side of the table I would actually read the question as confident. I'm British as well. Cultural thing maybe.