Caterham has launched a new approved used scheme to give secondhand buyers more reassurance when taking the plunge and buying a used track-day toy.
Caterham Selected is the company’s first stab at a manufacturer-backed scheme to match the mainstream franchised dealers and could tempt those who’ve always fancied a Caterham but been scared away by the unknowns of ownership.
What do you get with a Caterham Selected used car?
All cars sold through the new secondhand car programme will be subjected to an 81-point check by the factory or approved main dealer. Handy when some of these cars might have been built by eager amateurs in their shed!
But there’s also a 12-month parts and labour warranty, a year’s membership of the owners’ club and AA breakdown cover with home start option, plus an HPI check to make sure there’s no finance owing or write-off damage.
And Caterham outlets will also perform annual MOT checks on Selected models throughout their life, a handy boon to save a little bit of cash each year once the car has passed three years old.
How does it compare with rival approved used schemes?
Although not as watertight as some manufacturers’ approved used schemes (Porsche offers two-years’ warranty, for instance) it’s encouraging to see Caterham offer secondhand buyers more peace of mind.
Click here for our approved used Porsche 911 test.
The company aims to offer only the best Caterhams for sale, making it easier for buyers wanting to take the plunge to find a good-quality model without any hidden horrors.
Graham Macdonald, the chief exec of Caterham, said: ‘Purchasing a sports car is no small decision but, as well as offering cast-iron residual values, we now offer a wide range of pre-owned Caterham cars with market leading benefits designed to provide as much reassurance as possible.’
Check out how CAR magazine is getting on with our long-term test of the new Caterham Seven 160 here.