What Does RAC Approved Dealer Status Mean?
What Does RAC Approved Status Mean for a Customer Buying from a Local Independent Dealer?
RAC Approved Dealer status means that an independent dealership has agreed to follow standards set by the RAC covering vehicle preparation, customer service and the way used vehicles are advertised and sold.
It provides an additional level of reassurance for customers when deciding where to buy a used car. The dealer remains independently owned and operated, but its vehicles and sales processes must meet the requirements of the RAC Approved Dealer programme.
At Select Vehicle Sales by CARS of Grimsby, RAC Approved status supports the standards we have established through years of caring for and repairing vehicles. It gives customers a recognised framework against which our preparation and service can be assessed.
What Is an RAC Approved Dealer?
An RAC Approved Dealer is an independent vehicle retailer that has been accepted into the RAC Dealer Network and meets the requirements of its Approved Dealer programme.
The RAC states that Approved Dealers must prepare vehicles in accordance with its 82-point Approved Vehicle Preparation Standard. Dealers are also visited at least six times a year to check that vehicles are being prepared in line with the required standards.
Approved Dealers must follow the RAC Used Vehicle Code of Practice. This covers areas including advertising, customer service and vehicle preparation. The code has been approved through the Chartered Trading Standards Institute Consumer Codes Approval Scheme.
Customers can read more about the national RAC Approved Dealer programme.
RAC Approved status does not turn an independent dealership into an RAC-owned business. You are still buying from the local dealer named on the order and invoice.
What Does the RAC 82-Point Preparation Standard Cover?
The RAC 82-point Approved Vehicle Preparation Standard provides a consistent process for checking a used vehicle before sale. It covers important mechanical, electrical, safety and condition-related areas.
The inspection includes a road test and checks of areas such as the engine, transmission, steering, suspension, brakes, tyres, lights, instruments and electrical equipment. The vehicle’s exterior and interior are also considered as part of the preparation process.
This gives the dealer a checklist to follow. It also gives the customer a clearer basis for asking how the car has been inspected and prepared.
An inspection reflects the vehicle’s condition when it is carried out. Used vehicles contain components that wear over time, and an inspection cannot predict every fault that may develop further down the line. The accompanying warranty and breakdown cover therefore remain important parts of the overall RAC Approved package.
Further details can be found in the RAC 82-point Approved Vehicle Preparation Standard.
Does RAC Approved Status Include a Vehicle History Check?
Vehicles sold through an RAC Approved Dealer receive a vehicle history check. This is used to identify recorded information that could affect a customer’s decision to buy.
The check looks for issues including whether a vehicle has been recorded as stolen, declared an insurance write-off or offered for sale with outstanding finance.
A vehicle history check is an important source of information, although it should form part of a wider assessment. Some privately funded repairs may not appear on an insurance database. The physical condition of the vehicle, its MOT record and its service information should also be considered.
This is where the background of CARS of Grimsby provides added value. Our experience in accident repair and vehicle condition assessment helps us recognise signs of previous work that may require closer examination.
Read more about what accident repair experience teaches us about buying a used car.
What Warranty Does an RAC Approved Used Car Include?
RAC Approved vehicles include a warranty, with the precise level of cover determined by the vehicle’s age, mileage and eligibility.
Every vehicle sold by Select Vehicle Sales by CARS of Grimsby comes with a six-month RAC Approved warranty. Customers can also choose to extend the warranty to 12, 24 or 36 months for an additional cost.
A warranty can provide support if a covered mechanical or electrical component develops a fault during the warranty period. Each warranty has its own terms, claim limits, exclusions and maintenance requirements, so customers should read the documentation supplied before agreeing to purchase.
You should ask which level of RAC warranty applies to the vehicle you are considering, what components are included and how a claim would be handled. This gives you an understanding of the cover before you drive away.
Customers can find further information on the RAC Approved Dealer benefits available through Select Vehicle Sales here.
Is RAC Breakdown Cover Included?
Every vehicle sold by Select Vehicle Sales by CARS of Grimsby comes with 12 months of complimentary RAC Breakdown cover.
Breakdown cover provides access to assistance if the vehicle develops a problem that leaves you unable to continue your journey. The precise services, geographical limits and conditions depend on the cover supplied, so buyers should check the documentation and complete any required activation.
Warranty and breakdown cover serve separate purposes. A warranty contributes towards eligible repairs under its terms. Breakdown cover provides assistance when a vehicle breaks down. Depending on the fault and the relevant terms, a customer may use one service or both.
What Additional Preparation Does Select Vehicle Sales Provide?
RAC Approved status establishes a recognised minimum preparation framework. Select Vehicle Sales by CARS of Grimsby also provides its own package with every vehicle sold.
Every vehicle comes with:
- A full service
- A clean 12-month MOT
- A six-month RAC Approved warranty
- Twelve months of complimentary RAC Breakdown cover
The full service and clean 12-month MOT are commitments made by Select Vehicle Sales. They should not be interpreted as standard benefits provided by every RAC Approved Dealer. Individual dealerships may offer different preparation packages beyond the requirements of the RAC programme.
Before one of our vehicles is advertised, its history and condition are assessed individually. Our team considers the information available about the car alongside a physical assessment informed by many years of accident repair and bodyshop experience.
You can read more about what happens before we list a used vehicle for sale.
Why IS RAC Approval Important When Buying from a Local Independent Dealer?
Many customers value the personal service available from a local independent dealership. They can visit the premises, speak directly with the team and return to the same business if they need help after purchasing the vehicle.
RAC Approved status places recognised standards around that local relationship. It provides a formal preparation process, a code governing the dealer’s conduct and regular checks of participating dealerships.
The RAC Used Vehicle Code of Practice covers how vehicles are advertised, prepared and sold. It also sets expectations around customer service and complaints. The code is approved by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute under its Consumer Codes Approval Scheme.
Approval should still be considered alongside the dealer’s wider reputation. Customer reviews, the experience of the team, the quality of the premises and the information provided about each vehicle can all help you decide where to buy.
What Does RAC Approved Status Leave for the Customer to Check?
RAC Approved status gives customers useful safeguards and information, while the decision about an individual vehicle remains personal.
Before buying, check that the car is suitable for the journeys you make, affordable to run and comfortable to drive. Ask to see the service information and review the MOT history. Confirm the warranty level and request clarification about anything you do not understand.
You should also take the vehicle for a test drive. This gives you an opportunity to assess the driving position, visibility, controls and general feel of the car.
Our guide to the questions you should ask before buying a used car is an excellent starting point.
Frequently Asked Questions About RAC Approved Dealers
Is every independent used car dealer RAC Approved?
No. A dealership must join the RAC Approved Dealer programme, meet its requirements and continue to follow the relevant standards. Participation is separate from the dealer’s general legal responsibilities when selling used vehicles.
Does RAC Approved mean the dealer is owned by the RAC?
No. An RAC Approved Dealer remains an independent business. Its approved status shows that it participates in the RAC programme and follows the applicable preparation and customer service standards.
Are RAC Approved used cars checked before sale?
Yes. The RAC requires vehicles sold by an Approved Dealer to be checked against its 82-point Approved Vehicle Preparation Standard. The dealer must retain evidence that the relevant preparation has been completed.
Does RAC Approved status guarantee that a used car will never develop a fault?
No inspection can predict the full future condition of a used vehicle. Components can wear or fail after purchase. The RAC warranty provides cover for eligible faults according to its terms, while breakdown cover provides assistance if the vehicle breaks down.
How often are RAC Approved Dealers audited?
The RAC states that its Approved Dealers are visited at least six times each year to check that vehicles are being prepared to the required standard.
Can the RAC warranty be extended?
Select Vehicle Sales includes a six-month RAC Approved warranty with every vehicle. Upgrades to 12, 24 or 36 months are available, subject to eligibility, terms and an additional cost.
Do I still have consumer rights when a warranty is included
Yes. Warranty cover is supplied alongside the legal rights that apply when a consumer purchases a vehicle from a motor dealer. Customers should keep the sales invoice, vehicle description, warranty documents and records of any communication concerning the purchase.
Buy an RAC Approved Used Car from Select Vehicle Sales in Grimsby
RAC Approved Dealer status gives customers a recognised standard of vehicle preparation and a code covering how participating dealers should operate. It also provides warranty and breakdown support after the vehicle has been purchased.
At Select Vehicle Sales by CARS of Grimsby, this is combined with our experience in accident repair, vehicle condition assessment and customer care. Every vehicle comes with a full service, a clean 12-month MOT, a six-month RAC Approved warranty and 12 months of complimentary RAC Breakdown cover.
You are welcome to visit us at Estate Road 8 on the South Humberside Industrial Estate in Grimsby, speak to our team and take a closer look at any vehicle that interests you.
View our current selection of used vehicles online, visit us at Estate Road 8 on the South Humberside Industrial Estate in Grimsby, or speak to the team for further information.
If you have a vehicle to sell or part exchange, you can also
request a free, no-obligation vehicle valuation.
