New RAC Approved Dealer standard for used LCVs

A new RAC Approved Dealer standard has been created for light commercial vehicles (LCVs) to coincide with the launch of the Vanbase supermarket in Bristol this month.

To date, the standard has been limited to cars, but the new deal with Vanbase resulted in the creation of the new standard specifically for vans under 3.5 tonnes. It forms part of a proposition that also includes a three-month RAC warranty, 12 months breakdown cover, a vehicle data check and enrolment to RAC Accident Care. The package will be provided as part of every used vehicle sold by Vanbase.

Customers will also be offered the opportunity to extend their warranty as well as purchase RAC Service Plan and GAP products alongside a bespoke hire and reward warranty, again constructed specifically for Vanbase and LCV buyers.

All of these products are created and delivered by Assurant, a Fortune 500 company which partners with the RAC in providing and administering warranties and related solutions.

Vanbase is a brand new 2.2 acre LCV supermarket at Hartcliffe Way, and marks the first move into the LCV sector for Carbase, which already operates car supermarkets from sites at Bristol, Weston-super-Mare, Lympsham and Brent Knoll.

Sean Kent, RAC sales director at Assurant, said they had been working with Carbase, the company behind Vanbase, since 2015.

He continued: “We have been looking to extend our presence into the LCV sector for some time and the launch of Vanbase provided a timely opportunity to bring the advantages of our proposition to this part of the used vehicle market.

“As a result, we have created an offering for used van buyers that we believe is market leading and will play an important part in Vanbase’s success.

“It expands to the LCV sector the level of reassurance that customers expect from a used vehicle carrying the RAC brand.”

Gordon Veale, general manager at Carbase, said: “Our entire proposition is based on giving customers a great vehicle with great service and great value. This applies whether they are buying a car or van - and the presence of the RAC name underlines our commitment.

“We have worked very closely together on the creation of the RAC Approved Standard for LCVs for the launch of Vanbase.

“It is a genuine innovation in the used van sector and should help us to create useful differentiation in a highly competitive part of the market.”

All kinds of dealers including supermarkets, independents and franchises can become RAC Approved Dealers. Retailers who meet its standards can make extensive use of RAC branding among a range of other benefits.

Kent added: “The number of RAC Approved Dealers has grown in the last year and, with the creation of the LCV product, we believe that there is considerable potential to bring our standard to a new section of the dealer community.”