The main advantage of the internet for car buyers is the ability to find cars quickly, either on the classified websites or on manufacturer, dealer and car supermarket sites. Once you find a car that interests you, you visit the seller to check it out.

However, there are a handful of fully-fledged internet retailers. Both broadspeed.com and drivethedeal.com sell brand new cars without you having to visit a showroom. You browse the stock online, place your order, arrange finance, and the car is delivered to your door. You can even part-exchange your old car, although trade-in offers can be on the low side.

Internet retailers' prices are competitive, sometimes rivalling those at car supermarkets. No showroom means no pushy salespeople, but there's less choice than at franchised dealerships - which you'll have to visit anyway if you want to test-drive a car.