The vehicle remarketing process usually requires vehicles that are about to be remarketed to be inspected. Seems straightforward enough, but it isn’t.
It isn’t because there are many different circumstances, many different requirements and many different standards in operation. Irrespective of the historic reasons behind the different inspection types, it’s far from ideal that the industry still has no single commonly agreed format for a vehicle inspection.
After all, whatever the inspection is required for, surely it would make more sense to use a consistent approach, which ultimately would make it much easier for sellers and buyers and would undoubtedly drive cost efficiencies in the process.
A key element in moving towards this goal will be to get all those with a vested interest in achieving this, to collectively determine a strategy for consistency, supported by common practices.
In an ideal world there would be a standard approach to vehicle inspection which would provide a consistent methodology and results which could then be adopted across the industry.
There would be a level playing field on which cars and vans could be compared with confidence. The VRA recently established an Inspections Working Committee to consider whether it is possible to take a standard approach to vehicle inspection and concluded that this will only happen if the industry at large works collectively towards this goal.
The committee also found that while both ‘fair wear and tear’ and ‘zero tolerance’ inspections today are effective to support the requirements for which they are currently intended, inspection standards are not as high as they could be.
Organisations involved in fulfilling inspections should review the calibre and competency of their inspector resources and undertake specialist training, as and where required. The use of images is especially encouraged, whether high resolution stills or video as this removes much of the subjectivity and interpretation issues which currently exist.
It’s clear that varying inspection types will continue to be a feature of the remarketing world for some while, but I am confident that we will achieve a more joined-up approach in the medium term.
The VRA will be reaching out to the obvious main influencers, including the BVRLA, FLA, RMIF and NAMA to join in a discussion forum early next year.
John Davis is the chairman of Vehicle Remarketing Association
