Savings of more than £5,000 off the price of many brand new models are already on offer as car makers take action to combat an expected slowdown in sales.
The discounts have even spread to some cars in premium brand ranges including Audi, Mercedes, Jaguar, Volvo and Lexus, which have had more than 15% cut from their price.
Despite predictions that rising inflation and the weak pound could result in spiralling prices, experts say that brand new cars are being discounted at unprecedented rates in an attempt to head off the first annual reduction in new car registrations since 2011.
It follows predictions from motor industry leaders that car sales could fall this year, due to more expensive car tax and higher list prices caused by a weakening pound. The most immediate signs of higher car ownership costs will come after April when the price of car tax for new models will rise substantially.
But manufacturers are getting in quick with their offers which means savings already apply to models that have only just gone on sale. That’s unusual because brand new models are generally sold at full price while they remain relatively rare.
However, the Audi A5 Sportback, Mercedes E200d estate and Peugeot 3008 only went on sale in the past four months, but are already available with over 15% off.
That’s according to analysis by online car sales BuyaCar.co.uk. The advice is to shop around for the best showroom or on-line deal.