Mercedes-Benz Retail become SAF approved

Mercedes-Benz Retail is the latest dealer group to be recognised by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) as SAF Approved following their commitment to raising standards for the benefit of motor finance customers.

Specialist Automotive Finance (SAF) was launched by the FLA to raise standards and improve knowledge in showrooms and increase customer confidence in motor finance. SAF certification has been available since October 2007 to individual dealership employees and around 7,000 dealer staff have passed the online SAF competence test, provided free-of-charge by the finance industry. SAF Approved was introduced on 1 August 2009 to reward companies who have voluntarily improved their staff’s financial know-how.

Over 200 Business Managers in Mercedes-Benz franchised outlets have passed the SAF competence test, with a total of 35 dealerships now SAF Approved. To become SAF Approved all of a dealership’s staff who talk to customers about finance must have passed the online test. The test questions candidates on the finance products available in showrooms and surrounding regulation. Records are audited by the FLA.

Paul Harrison, Head of Motor Finance at the FLA, said: “I am delighted that Mercedes-Benz Retail – one of the largest dealer groups in the UK – has become SAF Approved. This shows that our motor finance initiative has clear benefits for dealership staff and consumers. FLA records show other major retailers, such as Renault Retail and Lookers plc, are also close to achieving the new status. Thiswill help raise awareness of SAF in showrooms as well as increasing confidence in the information given by staff on motor finance.”

Steve Fitzgerald, General Manager of Mercedes-Benz Retail, said: “This is a great initiative by the FLA and in today’s world of financial turmoil it is essential that our customers know that they will be dealing with an organisation that employs staff that are fully conversant with motor finance and the regulation surrounding it. Motor Finance can be a minefield for consumers but knowing that a Dealership and its staff are SAF Approved should give them greater comfort and confidence in an area where this has not always been the case.”