CAP offers instant valuations via SMS text message

Benchmark valuations for cars and vans are now instantly available in any location with the launch of Valuation Anywhere - a technologically innovative SMS text message and web service from CAP.

Valuation Anywhere offers customers mileage-adjusted benchmark used car or van values in seconds by simply sending the vehicle registration mark and mileage from their mobile phone.

Unrivalled vehicle coverage is offered direct from CAP’s Platinum Black and Red Book databases, covering over 30,000 cars and more than 11,000 vans from one month to more than 20 years old.

The service is linked to an advanced user-friendly web application which is automatically populated with a wealth of additional data as soon as a valuation request is made. This includes comprehensive specification and equipment details for the vehicle, guaranteeing increased vehicle identification accuracy and protecting against fraud.

The convenience of instant used valuations via SMS text messaging from any location makes Valuation Anywhere the most powerful valuation tool available to trade professionals in the field, such as in an auction environment or for the immediate pricing of part-exchanges on a car retail site.

As well as benefiting from instant valuations on their phone, customers are able to manage the data automatically received in the Valuation Anywhere web application at their convenience. This can be adjusted and used in a variety of ways, such as populating vehicle record or reporting systems or printed for use as point of sale material.

When the user texts a registration number and mileage to Valuation Anywhere, the system returns a precise CAP value, adjusted for condition, along with the vehicle’s model, variant, registration date. Simultaneously details can be automatically returned to the user’s email address while a full record is created in their Valuation Anywhere web account. Where the vehicle mileage is unknown a valuation for the vehicle at CAP’s standard mileage bands is returned.

Essential additional data triggered by a mobile valuation request includes VIN number, colour, standard equipment, fuel consumption and the options available when the vehicle was new. This protects users from fraud and ensures the greatest possible accuracy in identifying and pricing a vehicle for purchase and re-sale.

The release of Valuation Anywhere underlines CAP’s ambition to harness the latest technologies to develop best of breed solutions delivering genuine customer advantage in all its market sectors.

Peter McCullough, Business Development Director, said: “Real-time data delivered direct to customers’ applications is one of the most powerful ways we can turn our knowledge into customer advantage. Our customers are operating in fast-moving markets and we are committed to helping them succeed by taking advantage of every appropriate technology to help them do business quicker, smarter and more profitably.”

The Valuation Anywhere service is available to subscribers of CAP used values, whether in print, Windows or Palm Pilot formats.