Relative newcomers to the car retailing scene, car supermarkets major on value. They shift lots of cars at low profit margins from huge sites. The choice is equally huge, from popular cars like Corsa and Mondeo to executive models, 4x4s, sports cars and people-carriers.

Some car supermarkets sell new cars that are sourced indirectly - dealers' excess stocks, cancelled fleet orders, and imports from places like Ireland, the Channel Islands and even South Africa. These look cheap compared with UK list prices, but beware: equipment specs and badging may be non-UK, reducing used values. And warranty terms may be less generous than manufacturers' UK warranties.

Most used cars at car supermarkets are ex-fleet or ex-lease vehicles with service history, but not always in the showroom condition of 'approved used' cars.