Prestige Fleet Servicing has agreed a deal with the AA motoring organisation to carry out inspections of service centres and vehicle spot checks across the UK.
Prestige has been working closely with the AA and between them, the two parties have collectively developed a comprehensive inspection programme which the AA will use to further improve quality standards.
Service centres will undergo an initial inspection by the AA and will have to pass a number of checks to be considered to join Prestige’s network, which currently stands at 315 centres.
Joe Bhamra, Commercial Director, at Prestige commented: “We are delighted to use the services of the AA to further strengthen the inspection and selection process of service centres prior to approval.
“We believe that our partnership with the AA and their expertise and experience will help us deliver the best service centres for our customers to use.
“In addition to the service centre inspections, we will also be using the AA the carry out random vehicle spot checks to ensure service levels are being met on a continuous basis,” he said.
Howard Curle, Head of Operations, AA Motoring Services, added: “We recognise the importance that Prestige places on ensuring service centres are equipped to carry out work to the highest standards. Our team will work closely with Prestige to ensure we deliver this across the UK”.
The new arrangement also includes utilising AA video imaging technology for both service centre inspections and vehicle checks. Images will consequently be sent directly to Prestige’s operations team for analysis.
Joe Bhamra added: “Using on-line technology provided by the AA will enable our team to assess critical data far more quickly.”
Prestige is planning to expand its network of independent fleet service centres by almost a third in the first quarter of this year to meet rising demand.
The company currently has a network of 315 independent outlets providing low-cost, added-value servicing to fleet operators, including some of the UK’s largest leasing companies.
The business is looking to recruit a further 100 fleet service centres across the country to complete its national coverage and meet increased customer demand, following organic growth and a number of new client wins in recent months.
Recent client successes include a major vehicle auction house, a leading breakdown and recovery operator, a UK vehicle warranty provider and several key corporate fleets.
And the company’s most recent three-year, multi-thousand vehicle contract has taken the number of vehicles within Prestige’s client portfolio past the one million vehicle milestone for the first time.
Joe Bhamra explained: “We are looking to expand the business still further in the first quarter to meet growing customer demand and complete our network across the country.
“This follows organic growth plus new business wins, the combination of which has seen the company grow considerably in recent months and pass the one million vehicle mark for the first time.”
Howard Curle, Head of Operations, AA Motoring Services
