A.A. service for vehicle dealers

Press, 1 October 1983, Page 9

A.A. service for vehicle dealers

To give the public greater security when buying a used car, the Automobile Association (Canterbury) is trying a vehicle appraisal scheme for selected licensed motor-vehicle dealers.

The association decided to implement the scheme from today on a six-month trial after approaches by two Christchurch ■ firms, Cooper Henderson Motors, Ltd, and Hutchinson Motors, Ltd. The General Manager of the Association, Mr J. A. Strachan, emphasised that the check would be an appraisal of the vehicle’s state at the time, not the full check the association carried out for its members. It would not cover such items as bodywork, but would still play a useful role in helping all intending buyers to evaluate the worth of a vehicle for them-

selves, Mr Strachan said. After A.A.. technical officers examined the vehicle an appraisal form will be displayed in the vehicle’s window. The appraisal will hold good for 500 km or one month, which ever comes sooner.

It was up to the dealer to pay for the appraisal, to rectify any faults highlighted, and to provide proof of repairs to the buyer. The association did not offer a reappraisal, Mr Strachan said. Individuals could not have an appraisal carried out, he said. This service was reserved for licensed dealers. Mr Strachan expected more dealers would want to use these services once the scheme was established. Similar schemes had been run by other associations in New Zealand, Mr Strachan said.