RIP-OFFS MOTOR ON

BRITISH motorists are still paying thousands of pounds more for their cars than their European counterparts.

Official figures reveal that UK consumers are charged up to 45 per cent more than on the other side of the Channel - despite an EU ruling last October stopping car makers fixing prices artificially high.

The big differences include the Nissan Almera, which costs pounds 2,500 more than the pounds 6,490 showroom price in Europe, and the Alfa Romeo 147, which is pounds 12,421 here and pounds 9,150 abroad.

Even British-built cars from Rover and Land Rover are more expensive. But buyers hoping to cash in on lower Continental prices face a controversial levy when ordering right-hand-drive vehicles.

Last night the Consumers' Association called for an end to "unjustified" surcharges.

"If a manufacturer is making money on a car that is 40 per cent cheaper in Denmark, how much are they making out of us who pay full whack?," said CA adviser Phil Evans.

"And it doesn't cost the manufacturer any more to produce a right- hand-drive car."

The vast differences were revealed in a European Commission survey examining the recommended retail prices of 91 models from 26 countries.

Thirteen of the 82 on sale in Britain were most expensive here - including Rover's 45 and 75 models and Land Rover's Freelander and Discovery 4x4s that are all produced in the Midlands.

The report - based on pre-tax prices - said consumers could still make "significant savings" in neighbouring EU member states.

Canny Britons can purchase overseas at pre-tax prices, but they pay VAT at 17.5 per cent when bringing cars back to the UK.

They are liable to pay a supplement for right-hand-drive models ranging from just under three per cent for Land Rovers, Rovers and Volvos to nine per cent on VWs.

Denmark has the highest car tax in Europe and is the cheapest country to buy many models, ahead of Greece and Finland.

The EC says the price gap has narrowed since competition rules were tightened up. And the disparity is expected to be slashed further with the introduction of new rules in October 2005 allowing dealers to open up showrooms abroad.

Rover and Land Rover blame currency fluctuations and tax differences for the variations, and Rover claim their UK cars have a higher specification.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said UK car prices have fallen by 12 per cent in the last four years. And it said 14 in the survey were cheapest on this side of the Channel.

"We are more competitive than ever both in absolute terms and in relation to our European neighbours," said SMMT spokesman Christopher Macgowan.

THE COSTLIEST CARS

ALFA ROMEO 147Price abroad:....pounds 9,150 Price here........pounds 12,421 We pay extra..pounds 3,271

LAND ROVER DISCOVERYPrice abroad:....pounds 19,702 Price here........pounds 22,131 We pay extra..pounds 2,429

FIAT STILO MW

Price abroad:....pounds 7,876 Price here........pounds 11,237 We pay extra..pounds 3,361MAZDA 323Price abroad:....pounds 8,145 Price here........pounds 10,762 We pay extra..pounds 2,617

LAND ROVER FREELANDERPrice abroad:..pounds 13,845 Price here........pounds 16,055 We pay extra..pounds 2,210

HONDA ACCORDPrice abroad:....pounds 11,075 Price here........pounds 14,120 We pay extra..pounds 3,045

ROVER 75Price abroad:..pounds 10,995 Price here........pounds 14,319 We pay extra..pounds 3,324

DAIHATSU TERIOSPrice abroad:....pounds 7,515 Price here........pounds 8,399 We pay extra....pounds 884

FIAT ULYSEEPrice abroad:....pounds 15,916 Price here........pounds 18,660 We pay extra..pounds 2,744

MAZDA 2Price abroad:......pounds 7,189 Price here........pounds 8,553 We pay extra..pounds 1,364

NISSAN ALMERA

Price abroad:..............pounds 6,490 Price here..................pounds 9,020 We pay extra........pounds 2,530..

BUT BARGAINS TOO

AUDI A8Price abroad:..pounds 44,955 Price here........pounds 39,045 We save........pounds 5,909

MINIPrice abroad:....pounds 8,604 Price here..........pounds 7,781 We save..........pounds 822

AUDI TT

Price abroad:..pounds 23,449 Price here........pounds 18,215 We save........pounds 5,233VOLKSWAGEN POLOPrice abroad:....pounds 6,483 Price here..........pounds 5,304 We save........pounds 1,178

Note: Prices exclude VAT

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