A new RAC Approved Dealer standard for used vans and other light commercial vehicles has launched this week to create a “new kind of proposition” in the LCV sector.
The van standard was originally created earlier this year for the launch of the Vanbase supermarket in Bristol and is now being rolled out to other dealers.
The new proposition has been created to provide detailed preparation criteria for vans under 3.5 tonnes along with other benefits including a three-month RAC warranty, 12 months of breakdown cover, a vehicle data check and enrolment to RAC Accident Care.
Customers will also be offered the opportunity to extend their warranty while, at many dealers, they will also be able to purchase RAC Service Plan and GAP products.
The new standard has been developed to provide “a very comprehensive used vehicle package that is market-leading in all key respects”, according to Sean Kent, RAC sales director at Assurant, which partners with the RAC in providing and administering warranties and related solutions.
He said: “The new standard is designed to create a nationwide approved used van programme commensurate with the values of the RAC brand, with all of the benefits that brings for both customers and retailers.
“It is very much a new kind of proposition in this sector where, outside of franchise dealer networks, there are few retailers with the kind of consumer brand recognition that we can deliver.
“Our research shows that customers who buy from used car retailers that are members of the RAC Approved Dealer Network often do so because of the presence of the brand – and we anticipate that it will also be a major strength in the van sector.”
