Cars are big-ticket items, but online auctions can shave thousands off list prices. Autoebid.com, the reverse-auction website for new cars, saves buyers an average of 24% — about £3,000 — from the list price.

One buyer picked up an Audi A8 sports saloon with many added extras for £82,290 — £18,010 below what it was worth, and the largest saving the website has yielded.

Users agree to buy a model at its maximum price. This includes 12 months’ road tax, delivery to your door, a full manufacturer’s warranty, breakdown cover and VAT. Dealers then bid the price down to win your business.

Autoebid, which attracts more than 100,000 unique users per month, charges £100 plus VAT if the total saving is less than £1,200 or the car is worth up to £29,499; £295 plus Vat if the purchase price is up to £29,500; or 1% plus Vat for purchases of over that. There’s no fee if all your conditions aren’t met. You can also part-exchange your old car as part of the deal.

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