The Consumers' Association has held crucial talks with the European Commission in its campaign for lower car prices in Britain.

The consumer watchdog met car manufacturers and EC representatives in Brussels in an attempt to thrash out a better deal for buyers.

During the two-day meeting, which the Consumers' Association said it had waited years to have, discussions took place surrounding the controversial block exemption that frees car-makers from European competition law.

Phil Evans, principal policy adviser for the Consumers' Association, said: Dealers should be free to choose how they sell their cars."