No can do

Here's what the dealers told our mystery shoppers

• Audi TT mystery shopper
Sadly there is no way around the 20% VAT, I look forward to hearing from you.

• Fiat Bravo mystery shopper
Orders to avoid the VAT increase needed to be taken yesterday (31.10.10) to be guaranteed [at the lower rate]. We take a 500 deposit to pull a car off sale and the sooner this is done the more likely you will avoid the VAT change. However, we cannot guarantee this now.

What Car? says short, to the point, unhelpful and 100% wrong. Order, get the dealer to raise a VAT invoice, or pay in full, before the increase in VAT and you'll pay the current 17.5% rate.