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		Tory MEPs fight for better value for car buyers Wednesday, 2 October 2002 Following new rules passed by the European Commission this summer, which will mean that cheaper car prices in the UK will be delayed for three years, East Midlands MEP Roger Helmer, angered by the raw deal for British car buyers, supports calls for a more competitive market and reduced prices for consumers in line with other EU countries. A new survey has shown that Britain remains the most expensive place to buy cars in the European Union. Other surveys highlight the high cost of car servicing in the UK and up to 37% higher prices in the UK for popular car extras such as metallic paint and electric sunroofs. Speaking from the European Parliament in Strasbourg, local MEP Roger Helmer said: "It is unacceptable that British car buyers pay up to £2,000 more than their continental counterparts for the same car. The Commission’s announcement that this situation will not improve for three years is simply not good enough. "I believe that British consumers will be best served by a network of competing car-dealers "British consumers have been ripped off for too long. Conservatives want to get a good deal for consumers. We want a more competitive market which should reduce price differences across different countries in the EU and result in cheaper cars for UK consumers."