Nissan and Suzuki are both publicising to customers they can avoid an expected 2.5% rise in car prices if they put their purchase forward before the VAT rise on January 1, 2010.

Anyone that orders a new Nissan before December 31 this year and takes delivery before March 31, 2010 will get the Government’s VAT increase knocked off the price to offset any rise in VAT.

All Nissan cars are included in the offer, which allows customers to take advantage of the 15% VAT rate right up until the last minute of 2009.

Paul Willcox, Nissan’s UK managing director, said: “The transition from one VAT rate to another has the potential to leave car buyers paying more than they expect when they take delivery.

“To avoid any such problems with a new Nissan, we have decided to take the VAT increase out of the equation. Buyers can add this to the lengthy list of reasons for choosing a new Nissan in 2009.”

Suzuki is offering a three month deferred payment scheme on any Suzuki through hire purchase with a minimum deposit of 10%, as well as 0% finance on Swift, Splash, SX4 and Grand Vitara models.