A new 78 step preparation standard designed to provide a high level of consumer reassurance has been introduced to allow used motorhomes to be sold by RAC Approved Dealers for the first time.
The document has been created by the RAC working in conjunction with Assurant, its partner in the aftersales sector, and East Sussex-based dealer AMC Motor Caravans, who have become the first retailer to hold the accreditation.
Sean Kent, RAC director of sales at Assurant, said: “The used motorhome sector has been booming in recent years and we have been receiving more and more requests from dealers who wanted to include them in the RAC Approved Dealer programme. This is especially the case as caution around international travel remains, creating a potential trend towards an increasing number of UK holidays.
“The preparation standard, which has been designed by experts in this market, is extremely detailed and designed to cover the many different key points that are specific to this type of vehicle. We are confident that it will play an important part in helping dealers retail high quality, used motorhomes that will meet the needs of a large number of discerning buyers in this market.”
Geoff Takashi, sales manager at AMC Motor Caravans, said: “For a long time, buying a motorhome was very much the preserve of older people, perhaps something that happened as they approached retirement, but we’ve seen quite a shift in recent years. There’s been a whole new sector opening up of customers in their 40s and younger.
“For these buyers, a used motorhome represents a significant financial outlay, probably between £25,000-£40,000, and the presence of the RAC Approved Dealer programme within our showroom and online makes a significant difference to how we are perceived. Buyers know that the RAC would only put its name to an initiative – and to a dealer – that meets the highest standards. It is a genuine advantage for our business.”
There are now 1,500 existing members of the RAC Approved Dealer programmes selling cars and vans. Their proposition is based around preparation standards specifically designed for different vehicle types, a minimum three-month RAC warranty, 12 months of breakdown cover, a vehicle data check and enrolment to RAC Accident Care.
Sean added: “The Approved Dealer programme has been performing very well in the post-lockdown used vehicle market. Buyers are looking for peace of mind and post-purchase support, and that is very much what the proposition was created to deliver.”