New car scheme will let you drive a hard bargain.(Features)

DRIVERS know car prices abroad are much cheaper than here ... but the hassle factor puts them off buying on the Continent.

Now help is at hand and it could mean you driving off a Nissan Primera for a whopping pounds 4,722 less than it would cost in the UK. Or how about a Mazda 323 with a saving of pounds 5,308?

The Consumer Association are setting themselves up as middlemen, allowing Scottish motorists to access cheap deals from European showrooms.

So far, 24 dealers in France, Holland, Belgium, Germany and Ireland have agreed to get involved.

The CA are quick to point out that they're not setting up as rivals to Scottish dealers, simply making it safer and easier for Scots to buy abroad.

The latest blow against the Great British Rip-Off comes after it emerged that Britons pay a total of pounds 6 billion a year more for new cars than buyers abroad. But Scots attempting to buy their cars on the Continent have been met by a number of roadblocks.

Some European dealers refuse to sell cars to Scots, afraid they will lose their dealer franchise if they supply right-hand drive cars.

Chris Peers, head of corporate strategy at the CA, says: "Many members have already tried to import cars themselves only to find they are frustrated by deliberate blocking tactics from dealers and manufacturers.

"With our weight behind them, they will now be able to buy with total confidence.

"We will act as a non-profit intermediary by putting the consumer in touch with the dealer.

"We will help out with the paperwork and we also plan to set up a code of conduct to govern the scheme."

The undercutting import service is currently only available to the association's 800,000 members.

The CA say members could save up to 40 per cent on the cost of some models.

For too long, Britain has been Treasure Island for the motoring manufacturers and car big-wigs are predictably unhappy that motorists are waking up to the rip-off.

Paul Everitt, of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, claims UK buyers receive extras, including servicing, finance deals and warranties which European buyers do not get.

He branded the CA scheme irresponsible and said that Scots buying in Europe might face trouble with trade-ins.

But Britain's Car of the Year, the Ford Focus, costs an astonishing twice as much here as in Denmark.

The message that buyers aren't happy is sinking in ... Vauxhall this week knocked pounds 1,000 off cars bought via the Internet.