Skoda retailers lead the way in shedding New Year pounds

Gym-goers won’t be the only people shedding pounds this January – customers choosing a new Skoda will also be able to save thousands on the price of a new car. Thanks to a further extension of Skoda’s highly successful VAT-free campaign, the introduction of new finance schemes and a fixed-price service plan, buyers looking to pick up a New Year sales bargain are in for a treat.

While many car manufacturers are raising their prices across the board to take into account the rise in VAT, Skoda is actually increasing the coverage of its No VAT offer.

The VAT-free offer is available on all Fabia and Roomster models, as well as Octavia and Superb petrol models, meaning that buyers can make potential savings of £3,388. As before, there’s nothing complicated about the deal ­– customers pay for the car, Skoda takes care of the VAT.

For used vehicles, Skoda has extended its fixed-price service plan. The scheme, which allows owners to get up to 2 years of servicing for a fixed fee of £299, has been extended to include used vehicles up to six years old. What’s more, customers buying a used Skoda before 31 January 2011 will also get a £100 voucher, to be redeemed at their local Skoda retailer on parts, accessories or merchandise.

Finally, Skoda’s affordable finance schemes continue into 2011. With a bank-busting APR rate of just 5.9 per cent, Skoda’s hire purchase (HP) offer is well below anything customers can find on the high street. It means that customers can buy a better-specified car than they might otherwise be able to afford, another example of Skoda’s great value.

Skoda’s Solutions Personal Contract Plan (PCP) attracts a 7.9 per cent APR, is very flexible and allows drivers to drive off in a new Skoda for the cost of one month’s payment as a deposit. Both the HP and PCP offers can be combined with Skoda’s outstanding VAT-free campaign.