FROM January 2009, all Network car brokers will have to be British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) approved.
It is a significant step to raise car brokers standards. Network represents the largest group of franchised brokers in the UK – 210 in total.
Car funding and the Network franchise infrastructure is provided by business car leasing giant LeasePlan.
Tim Hudson, commerical director for LeasePlan, explained: “We take our position as industry leader very seriously. As a result we can’t focus simply on signing as many brokers as possible and pushing through as many sales as we can. Instead, our focus should be on setting and maintaining standards for a select group of elite brokers.”
All brokers that wish to meet the new LeasePlan standards need to sign up for three years.
What does BVRLA-approval mean?
The BVRLA is the representative body for the car leasing industry. BVRLA approval is a gold standard for car brokers. It aims to raise standards and eliminate so-called ‘bedroom brokers’.
LeasePlan is placing higher standards on its Network car broker franchise with mandatory quality approval by the BVRLA. The move should be a substantial benefit for small businesses seeking quality car lease deals
Bedroom brokers in the past have been responsible for dubious transactional standards. BVRLA-approved leasing car brokers are listed in the Business Car Manager Find A Supplier section.
BVRLA standards for leasing car brokers include:
- Brokers must do business lawfully
- Brokers must trade fairly with customers
- Brokers must behave with honesty and integrity
- Brokers must not misrepresent facts to customers
- Brokers must operate from a commercial premises
- Small businesses have access to a recognised procedure in the event of a dispute with a BVRLA-approved car leasing broker
Paul Bulloch, managing director of Concept Vehicle Leasing and a contributor to Business Car Manager, is a member of LeasePlan’s broker network. And already BVRLA-approved.
“I’m very positive about it. Although I’m already BVRLA-approved it’s good to raise the standards of more brokers,” said Paul.
“There are other elements to the Network deal that should send out positive messages to car manufacturers – such as the elimination of third party deals where some brokers were abusing the deals they had been given – that will raise broker awareness and behaviour.”
Further information on Network car brokers
- For a list of BVRLA-approved car leasing brokers go to our Car Leasing Brokers in our Find A Supplier listing
- Read our Advice Centre article on What is a car leasing broker?
- Read our Top tips: How to choose an approved leasing broker
- For more on Network car brokers, read the Editor’s Blog: Better broker standards
