WHEN ONLY THE BEST WILL DO

BY JONATHAN CROUCH

In Brief

Car manufacturers have had to work hard to dispel the popular image of the used car salesman. Look around the market today at the many manufacturer-led used car programmes and you'll have to agree that the industry has polished up its image more than a little.

Introduction

One such scheme is Ford Direct, available from specially appointed Ford Direct dealers who have undergone as rigid an assessment as the cars themselves. Ford Direct dealers are professionals. But don't worry that you'll be pressured into buying a car you don't want - that's another image the motor industry has worked hard to dispel.

Warranty Cover

There are several clear plus points to consider - there's a comprehensive two-year warranty, two-year’s full RAC recovery within the car price, a 30-day/1,000 mile 'no quibble' exchange policy and preparation to Ford standards. Should you wish to change your car, Ford will cover any of the costs involved and cover the next vehicle you choose with the same 30-day/1,000 mile guarantee (though this time, the car must actually be faulty if you want to swap it).

The two year warranty covers every component and consequential damaged caused by a warranted part failure. Catalytic converters are covered too, though the scheme doesn’t include provision for wear and tear items. There’s no mileage limit on claims you can make, the value of which are limited only by the price you paid for the car.

The validity of warranty cover has long been a worry for buyers. With Ford Direct they know that they're dealing with one of the professionals and that their warranty will be absolutely watertight should a problem occur.

Vehicles Covered By The Scheme

The scheme is based around Ford cars of up to four years in age and with less than 50,000 miles on the clock. Ford Direct cars come from Ford’s own management fleet and the large rental firms. Before delivering to dealers, Ford will inspect and recondition each car at a purpose-built facility.

Here, if the car has completed more than 9,000 miles, it’s given a full 10,000-mile service and its records and service history are brought up to date. Then there are exhaustive preliminary checks, which cover every aspect of the car’s bodywork and mechanical condition.

For example, amongst many tests, the car will be rejected if any dents are visible from a two metre distance at an angle of ninety degrees to the bodywork or if any of the exterior trim, bumpers or body protection mouldings are found to be cracked, split, dented or loose.

Other checks are no less thorough, covering everything from the state of the windshield and window glass to the locks and from the power steering fluid level to the security and free play of the driveshaft.

Once everything’s done - and after a thorough road test - the RAC will check that standards are up to scratch and apply a tamper-proof hologram to the windscreen. That visible symbol of quality and reassurance is a welcome part of the scheme.

Breakdown Cover

There’s two year’s RAC cover included, though you only get the additional accident management policy if you choose to insure your car with Ford. If the RAC can’t fix your car within twenty four hours of the breakdown, you get a replacement hire car for up to a week. Or there’s the option of a night’s hotel for you and your passengers or paid-for public transport to get home or to your destination.

Summary

The Ford Direct scheme was acclaimed as revolutionary when it was introduced. More important, it quickly proved that it brought fresh peace of mind to the complex business of buying a used car.

At any Ford Direct dealer, you'll find a friendly sales team with plenty of time to discuss your needs - go into detail about the car you want to buy and ask for information about finance too. Do business with an organisation that has the Ford name behind it and you'll find plenty of choice - and flexibility.

Sheer size can be daunting, of course, but individual dealers pride themselves on personal service. Your business matters, whether you're buying a Fiesta or a fleet. Every customer will benefit from the huge network which Ford Direct has established. Tap into the computer database, which contains thousands of used cars, and your dealer will find just what you want - even down to colour and trim. Customers can choose their model from stock displayed on the dealership's direct-link computer.

You'll be able to 'read all about it', too. Ford is acknowledged as the master of simplicity when it comes to company brochures. Refer with ease to all aspects of the Ford Direct scheme. Buy a car from Ford Direct and the financial options are varied and flexible. The Options Plan has proved popular - just ask your dealer for full details.

Ford was praised by What Car? magazine in its survey of manufacturer warranty programmes for its innovative used car-buying scheme. The report added: “It’s hard to fault the quality and scope of cover."

For More Information

Contact Ford on 01277-253000 or 0345-111888 or log on to www.forddirect.com