Launched today (9^th July), www.vcars.co.uk has been set up in partnership with the existing VCARS platform and will offer more than 110,000 used cars for sale from over 2,000 dealers throughout the UK.

The AA compares the website to an online dating agency, matching cars to the needs and desires of the buyer and then introducing them to the vendor, with whom they complete the deal. 

Edmund King, AA president, said: ‘10 million drivers think buying a car is a stressful experience so we want this new service to help de-risk the often tricky process of buying a car. The AA is well know for rescuing motorists at the roadside and for offering advice on almost everything to do with cars, from fuel to travelling abroad. 

‘We want to ensure that drivers buy with their heads and not just their hearts.’

The website has been launched on the back of an Office of Fair Trading Report into the pitfalls of buying a used car, with the AA saying that it has sought to address the issues raised around more transparency, information and checks on vehicles.

Every buyer is provided with a free AA Cars History Check (worth up to £20) up front so that they can have peace of mind regarding the car’s history and authenticity.

King added: ‘We know from past car history checks that a third of all cars checked had a significant hidden history. In fact, 1 in 10 had outstanding finance, and some debts can result in a car being seized from the purchaser; 1 in 8 were recorded as insurance write-offs; 1 in 16 had significant mileage discrepancies – for example, the vehicle had been ‘clocked’ to show a lower mileage; while nearly 91,400 had actually been reported stolen. 

‘This shows the importance of us providing an AA Cars History Check up front.

‘The AA will help de-stress the buying process so that drivers don’t make the biggest mistake of their lives. It’s vital that car buyers really do know what they are getting into.’

The news follows the recent announcement of the RAC's launch of a used car service.