Online car buyers 'get greater benefits'

Car and van insurance policyholders who purchase their vehicles online may be able to reap a number of benefits, such as lower prices and added protection, it has been suggested.

Consumer group Which? conducted an investigation into online vehicle shopping as opposed to in-store purchasing and of the 14 vehicles it assessed, 12 were cheaper on the internet.

Among the findings was that five of the models were £5,000 cheaper online and six were more than £1,000 cheaper to buy over the internet.

The group also suggests buyers may have greater protection when purchasing a vehicle online under the Distance Selling Regulations, which allow buyers a seven-day cooling off period in which they can receive a complete refund if they choose to cancel an order.

Richard Headland, editor of Which? Car, commented that online vehicle dealers are providing competition for traditional dealerships made from bricks and mortar.

"The internet is revolutionising the way people are shopping for cars and we're all for it. Not only can buyers find bargain prices online - without haggling with a salesperson - they have better legal rights too," he said.

Which? found that while only five per cent of its members have bought a vehicle online, but 18 per cent said they are likely to do so in the future.

Recently, online vehicle retailer Autoquake revealed that a third of its browsers purchase a vehicle over the internet before having even seen it in the flesh or given it a test drive.

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