Jo Elms from Network: believes most modern car leasing brokers are setting new standards

BVRLA-approved leasing brokers set the standards

I WAS interested to read the report from Network in our news story Network sees retention culture emerging.

In it Jo Elms, Network’s brand director, says that the top echelon of car leasing brokers are looking at service rather than turning a deal.

From my experience with the BVRLA-approved leasing brokers I’ve spoken to, that seems to be the case.

Paul Bulloch, the md of Concept Vehicle Leasing, has just launched a new service plan – their own standardised maintenance programme (see New car maintenance programme for small businesses). Paul also reckons that 70 per cent of his customers are loyal.

Then there’s Mike Lloyd’s Central Contracts operation, which has just moved into new premises (see blog Central Contracts plans expansion). The company also has a fine duty of care programme for small businesses – see Low cost duty of care compliance programme).

I drove up yesterday to Stratford for a BVRLA conference on the new corporation tax changes that come into play next year. I wanted to make sure I understood the issues correctly.

The Audi A4 was in terrific form. Satnav worked beautifully, the side assist blind spot radar warned me of unseen traffic and the A4 transported me up there in a beautifully composed and understated way. I arrived just in time but perfectly fresh, despite the rigours of London traffic and the M25 on the way up to Warkwickshire.

When I was there I had lunch with another car leasing broker, Rob Chisholm, who runs Applewood Vehicle Finance. Rob is also BVRLA-approved – and a Network broker – and he said their business was based entirely on customer service. And had been for years.

And while Rob noted that economic conditions might be tough, in the last month he had still sold six vehicles worth over £50,000 each. “Business might be tough for some, but not all,‚” he remarked. “And anyway, business goes on, and people still need cars.”

What’s clear from the above, though, is that you need to be careful which broker you use.

Jo was warning about the bedroom broker – those that entice you in with a low rate but might not actually deliver the deal you thought you were going to get. And all from their front room or bedroom.

Stick with BVRLA approved brokers, though, and you should be in safe hands. They must have physical premises. And they offer lots of good advice.