GROWING calls for fleets to consider their corporate social responsibility and liabilities when remarketing vehicles took centre stage this week.

Decision-makers are being urged to consider more carefully who is buying their vehicles and also what condition their vehicles are in.

Industry lawyer David Faithful has claimed that when sales are direct to the public rather than the trade, customers will receive the full benefit of consumer protection legislation, including the Sale of Goods Act 1994 and the Supply of Goods to Consumers Regulations 2002. As a result, fleets could find cars coming back to them that they thought they had waved goodbye to forever.

In addition, Stewart Whyte, director of the Association of Car Fleet Operators, has backed warnings over the impact of new money laundering regulations.

Since March 1, HM Customs & Excise has tried to make it more difficult for criminals to launder money by stipulating that businesses involved in high value deals over about £11,000 must register with the authority. It is designed to help ensure businesses comply with their responsibilities under anti-money laundering laws.

For details on the new legislation, log on to www.hmce.gov.uk/ forms/graphics/mlr6.pdf

Also this week, it was claimed dealers are cherry-picking the best vehicles from major fleets before sale time, using the latest technology. Epyx says smart remarketing systems are leading to a growing trend of selling vehicles while they are still on fleet.