The German firm plans...

The German firm plans to clamp down on the practice of vehicles being sold for hefty discounts by online brokers this year. Bosses are threatening to terminate contracts with UK dealers which shift unsold stock to companies such as Drivethedeal.com and Broadspeed.

A BMW spokesman told us strict agreements are in place which forbid franchises from selling cars to brokers, but that these haven’t been enforced, until now. The move is likely to have an instant impact on a market which accounted for 4,000 models in 2007.

However, broker Broadspeed puts the figure closer to 10,000, and claims BMW isn’t playing by the rules. Boss Simon Empson said: “It is my understanding that EU block exemption legislation specifically allows for businesses such as ours to introduce consumers to authorised dealers.”

And brokers also insist they don’t actually buy the cars, but effectively act as an automotive dating agency by connecting customers with dealers which have an excess stock. “My company has never bought a BMW in its life,” explained Empson.

Even so, industry insiders expect the move to prompt wider restrictions. Jeff Paterson, chief car editor at trade bible Glass’s Guide, explained: “This is about improving residual values, which all manufacturers are keen to do. So it will be interesting to find out how other car companies will react if BMW is successful.”

The best deals in 2007 included чЈ4,750 off the price of a 320d M Sport – sold at Drivethedeal.com for чЈ22,822 – and an incredible чЈ8,260 saving on a Z4M Coupé, which was registered through Broadspeed for чЈ33,028.