CAP is launching its first consumer offering this month with a free service which will let users view long term running cost information on all cars.

CAP announced the new Total Cost of Motoring tool earlier this year and the service will launch later this month.

Consumers must register their details with the CAP website to access the tool and this information will be passed on to dealers as potential leads. CAP has confirmed there will be a charge attached to passing on leads.

Ben Maguire, CAP head of consumer told AM the service would be focussed on the quality rather than the volume of leads it passes on.

Maguire said: "We were struck by one of our research findings that nearly one in three motorists had previously regretted a car purchase on the grounds of overall long-term costs. Helping motorists to avoid such disappointments can only benefit everyone in the market.

"We believe that providing better ownership cost information to consumers will assist in smoothing the car sales process by helping motorists feel more confident about the best car choices to investigate with their dealer.”