AA Cars is inviting dealers to join its Dealer Promise scheme, a customer service charter to lift confidence in the sales practices of the used car industry.
This is a timely boost for both dealers and consumers following market research, which suggests trust in the sector is at an all-time low.
The AA’s car buying site has approached its growing network of dealers to help increase transparency, honesty and trust in the used car industry by adopting Dealer Promise.
Dealers will openly promote a visible 10-point charter that includes a commitment to offer history checks, provide a minimum of six months MOT, hand over all relevant documentation and offer an adequate road test on all vehicles. Additionally, all vehicles will come with 12 months free AA breakdown cover.
The move comes as consumers are now faced with multiple choices, challenges and risks when trying to find a potential used car online to buy. The AA is attempting to simplify and make the process safer to ensure the public feels confident when buying what is the second biggest purchase after a home.
Dealer Promise also includes an industry-first – a mediation service that will see AA Cars directly handling disputes between customers and dealerships.
Dealer Promise follows recent market research that found just seven per cent of UK consumers trusted used car dealerships and 36% of consumers who’d intended to buy a car in the last six months had not done so because they could only find vague, hard-to-find or misleading information while looking to purchase.
