Stephens added: “So often we find that when speaking to a retail motor group their budget, or maximum affordable rent, is insufficient for the quality of site that they aspire to. That’s by no means just in the South East. The other side of the coin is that it is very difficult to find high quality sites that are of a size that is adequate to run a viable business from. We are beginning now I think to see a reluctant acceptance of split-site solutions.

“We are beginning to see independent separate workshop facilities in industrial locations, often in second hand industrial space which is cheap and offers the advantage that you can operate extended hours in shifts and the front of house sales can sit on a far smaller site that is still high quality.

“I think we will begin to see tentative forays into established retail locations for the sales experience.”

David Chittenden, head of automotive and roadside at Colliers International, said it often comes down to the dreaded ‘compromise’ to make a scheme work.

“Sites are tight and sales are up. You are always going to have to compromise, either in the size or the location. It is very rare you get an ideal solution. You can’t compromise on everything however, because whatever you do, it has to be fit for resale in the future.”

It’s clear two things will continue to shape the future face of dealerships – technology and land values.

Baker said: “I think larger dealerships and smaller boutique ‘virtual’ dealerships will work to complement each other. In bigger cities I think consumers will get the hang of looking at cars in more of a retail-type footprint. Everybody is becoming more informed and aware, you can find out all the details about a car with the click of an iPad.”

Stephens said: “I think we will see fewer large sites, but they will be of a higher quality, and will be interspersed with sales stores in main retail centres. The density of representation may fall over time. It will be like Apple stores. They are not on every high street but they are very impressive when you do find one and you are prepared to travel to go to it.”