Accident rates present aftersales opportunities

New research has found that 39% of non-fault accidents happen to motorists driving a vehicle they have owned for less than a year.

This is according to analysis by AX, which also found that 11% of all non-fault incidents befall drivers in their first 90 days of ownership.

This underlines the importance of educating customers during handover about the support they can expect in the event of an accident, providing retailers with an opportunity to discuss their customers’ accident aftercare needs.

AX analysed data on more than 68,000 non-fault incidents, from car park scrapes to roundabout bumps.

Scott Hamilton-Cooper, director of sales and operations at AX, said, ‘This is further proof of the need to educate customers about what to do in the event of an accident at the point of purchase. Treating accident aftercare assistance in the same way as informing the customer of their warranty or breakdown assistance, is a great way to help improve customer experience and retention should the worst happen.

‘With proactivity, clear processes and trained people, the dealer can make sure they are the first call in the event of an accident, supporting the customer with onward mobility and retaining valuable repair work.’