More than 70% of website visitors would buy a car online, according to a March internet poll conducted by web portal company Uknetguide.co.uk.

Joel Balodis, marketing manager of Uknetguide.co.uk, said the survey, which assessed visitors to the company's website, was part of a straw poll.

“Quite surprisingly, we have found that most people, having decided what car they want to buy, would consider buying online,” he said.

The company, which receives more than 25,000 visitors a month to its motoring directory site, accepts that the internet can not fulfil all a motorist's car buying needs, such as a full test drive.

“But it can be the place where the sale is made,” said Mr Balodis. “This shows that there is plenty of room for web-based vehicle sales and traditional showrooms to work side by side in the industry.”