Today’s example of ‘best practice’ is about how dealers ensure that vehicles they buy are as described at the outset. Regardless of whether you are a small independent, dealer group or large preparation centre the best retailers ensure all money owed to them is claimed. You could be missing out on a sizeable amount of money. Depending on how many cars you buy per year this could be between £24K and £150K (based on a low estimate of £25 per car). Independents and preparation centres often have the best process for this. Their key steps are as follows:
1. Don’t wait for your vehicle to turn up once paid for.
We often see dealers paying for a vehicle and then only chasing once someone notices it has been a while. Instead, ensure there is a process in place from the moment it is bought including; waiting payment, waiting collection and arrival onsite. Monitor this via purchase source and ensure your vehicle is not aged before it arrives. Vendors that take too long to arrive consider this within the purchase cost.
2. Ensure what you have bought is as described.
Often vehicles purchased from an auction or online sales channel turn up and get a quick checkover and sign-off.
A lot of our dealers have a link on vAutoPrep to that vehicle. The person checking it in can quickly see if there is additional damage or missing items. At the click of a button, the person who needs to make a claim does so. Because the damage is noted and photographed/filmed there is the evidence needed for the claim.
3. Ensure a mechanical check within 48 hours
Vendors have a time limit to raise mechanical issues. We appreciate Workshop loading is a challenge. However, it is so important to check the vehicle mechanically that some of our dealers ensure the used vehicle check is carried out within 48 hours. Anything required is then scheduled and parts are ordered. If it is something that should be claimed from the vendor a claims process is started.
4. Put in place a Robust claims procedure
Body damage is photographed and at a push of a button on vAutoPrep the buying person/team is notified to start a claim. The vehicle sits in a claims process on vAutoPrep until it is approved or rejected. This is timed and cannot be forgotten or lost.
5. Track claim requests and pay-outs
Ensure that the claim amount, claim amount approved, claim rejected and claim amount paid are recorded and tracked. Measure this against the vendor.
6. Ensure Fast rejection if required
At a click of the button ensure planned work on that vehicle is cancelled. The vehicle sits within a process until a refund and collection are made. Often vendors are slow so visibility is key.
If you are finding it challenging to put these steps in place, then do speak to us and we can help you ensure you are claiming back any money owed to you.
