“Certified Pre-Owned” guarantees peace of mind
While consumers become increasingly selective towards premium cars,Mercedes-BenzSouth Africahas developed a new product, “Certified Pre-Owned” to appeal to those who aspire to drive one of their luxury models.
“There is clear evidence of our current range’s success and with ‘Certified Pre-Owned’, we aim to widen our appeal further to those who have always aspired to own a Mercedes-Benz, but are constrained by their budget. They can now choose a Certified Pre-Owned and enjoy the guaranteed peace of mind which is normally associated with purchasing a new car,” says Peter Skei, Divisional Manager: Passenger Cars Sales, Mercedes-Benz South Africa.
What sets “Certified Pre-Owned” apart from its competitors is the complete mobility package on offer. Vehicle selection and thorough preparation is only one aspect of the product, with additional mobility solutions including finance, insurance and tailored maintenance offers. A 14-day or 1,000 km exchange privilege (whichever comes first) has been included to appease even the most discerning customers.
“Research has shown that the most significant barrier to choosing Pre-Owned is a lack of trust. We took this into consideration and developed a solution to provide the customer with optimal assurance,” adds Skei.
All “Certified Pre-Owned” vehicles will undergo the comprehensive mechanical, electrical, safety, exterior and interior quality check by specialised factory-trained technicians. Should any repair work be deemed necessary, these repairs will be carried out through authorized repairers with genuine Mercedes-Benz parts prior to the vehicle being categorised as “Certified Pre-Owned”.
Most importantly, the vehicle will undergo an integrity test, which ensures that the original registration date, mileage and legal ownership is confirmed. Vehicle records are inspected to verify that the vehicle has been completely serviced and maintained according to Mercedes-Benz standards, through authorized outlets.
Selected vehicles are all under five years and have less than 100 000 km mileage. The MobiloDrive Maintenance plan is automatically transferred to the new owner, who is guaranteed at least one year/20 000 km of the remaining maintenance plan. Affordable options to further extend the maintenance plan by either time period (8 years) or mileage (160,000 km) are available for customers who prefer the security of fixed mobility rates.
There are initially a total of nineteen Mercedes-Benz dealerships approved to retail “Certified Pre-Owned” cars, from Gauteng to KwaZulu-Natal, from East London in the Eastern Cape to Bloemfontein in the Free State and numerous outlets in the Western Cape. Further outlets will be Certified in the future, with Mercedes-Benz aiming to have a comprehensive national footprint within the next few years.
Mercedes-Benz dealerships are state-of-the-art facilities. “Certified Pre-Owned” customers will benefit from these modern facilities, all conveniently situated in prime areas with easy access and ample parking. A number of these facilities also include a refreshment bistro, child-friendly play station and accessory shop.
Dedicated, professional and knowledgeable sales staff are key to the success of Certified Pre-Owned and they will be geared up to assist customers with their purchasing decision. These friendly sales staff will support the entire process and provide a specialised buying experience.
Finance and Insurance products will be available onsite through Group company, Mercedes-Benz Financial Services South Africa.
Under the warranty and maintenance plan, “Certified Pre-Owned” products have the benefit of the Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance programme – 24-hour, seven days a week roadside assistance, in the event of a breakdown. This includes accommodation and transport, vehicle repatriation, vehicle recovery and a 24-hour call-centre service.
“Certified Pre-Owned by Mercedes-Benz” is aligned to international standards and when introduced, has benefited both new and existing customers. Previous markets have shown an overall improvement in residual values, even in the numerous segments where Mercedes-Benz are the traditional residual value leader,” concludes Skei.
