Fix Auto Manchester East manages courtesy cars with new app

Fix Auto Manchester East is managing the costs associated with the running of its courtesy car fleet with the early adoption of a new App from Circle Leasing.

Fix Auto Manchester East repairs 250 cars per month at its Oldham bodyshop and operates a fleet of 20 courtesy cars. 

The company adopted Circle Leasing’s Vehicle Hire desktop solution last year and is now implementing Circle’s next stage development; their new Vehicle Hire app.

Used on any android device, the app provides a comprehensive courtesy car management solution covering everything from the assignment of jobs to drivers, to the digital appraisal of vehicles, and customer acceptance of the Circle rental agreement.

Ed Gore, customer service manager at Fix Auto Manchester East (pictured), said:  “As a company we like to be at the forefront of technology and the app enables us to formalise our courtesy car rental process and inform customers that they are entering into an agreement with a third party hire company.

“In our experience, customers often don’t value their courtesy car as they think it is just part of their insurance package.  This means that cars can be returned with low fuel, outstanding parking or speeding fines and even damaged.

“Having completed the vehicle check, including capturing images of the fuel gauge and milometer, the customer simply signs Circle’s master hire agreement contained within the app and a copy is automatically emailed to them.  Our desktop system is updated at the same time.” 

As an added bonus, a unique part of the Vehicle Hire solution is that any costs incurred by the policyholder whilst using the courtesy car, are handled directly by Circle, meaning Fix Auto Manchester East sees no fines. 

Nichola Finn, customer relationship manager at Circle Leasing, said: “Our Vehicle Hire app responds to calls from our industry to convert courtesy car investment from an expense into a potential source of income.”