'Brits increasingly shop for cars online'

Britons are increasingly turning to their computers when it comes to purchasing a new vehicle.

Car and van insurance policyholders may go online to conduct research, but figures from one vehicle retail website have shown that many consumers are now opting to buy over the internet.

According to Autoquake, a third of its customers purchase a vehicle online before even taking a test drive or seeing the vehicle in the flesh.

On average, these car insurance policyholders pay £7,500 for a model, which the firm's founder Fredrik Skantze commented is "a huge amount of money to spend blind".

Despite the risks, it would appear that Britons are happy to browse through photographs of their chosen vehicles and read about its vital statistics to save themselves travelling across country in search of the perfect model.

"It shows the confidence that consumers now have with buying goods online. Buying a car online now, for many, feels like a very natural process," Mr Skantze added.

The firm also revealed that 60 per cent of internet shoppers looking for a model via the site reserve their car on the first day they visit the webpage.

Recent findings by valuation specialists EurotaxGlass's showed that many Britons are overwhelmed by the vast array of vehicles on sale.

More than a quarter of people commented that they are bowled over by the choice with 26 per cent adding they find such a wide range of cars confusing.

Contact Budget for a free quote on your car insurance cover.

The views expressed within the article are entirely those of Adfero Ltd and are not those of the BGL Group