Saka brings independent condition inspection to used car sales

Buying a used car often comes with uncertainty about its true condition. Finland's largest used car dealer, Saka, is introducing a new Rehti operating model, in which the condition of cars priced over 10,000€ is also assessed by an independent third party.

Saka is introducing the new Rehti model to make information about a car's condition more transparent and easito understand. Going forward, every car Saka takes in for sale will undergo a comprehensive inspection, and all information will be shared with the customer transparently.

“A used car doesn't have to be flawless, but today's buyer wants to know as precisely as possible what they are buying. That's why we are making information about a car's condition more open than before. For cars priced over €10,000, the condition assessment no longer rests solely on our own inspection — the car's technical condition is also assessed by an independent third party,” says Jaakko Poukkula, Saka's Commercial Director.

Under the new model, every car Saka takes in for sale goes through an inspection in which the car's condition, service history, equipment and information provided by the car's previous owner are systematically reviewed. The car is also test-driven, and the battery condition of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids is checked with the Aviloo battery test. Over the autumn, the measures will expand to include, among other things, paint surface measurements and their documentation. Saka also publishes all customer feedback transparently on its website.

Cars worth more than 10,000€ undergo a technical condition inspection carried out by an independent third party. The key findings of the inspection are compiled for the customer in a Rehti certificate. The certificate gives an at-a-glance picture of the car's condition, the findings made and any possible repair needs before the sale.

The need for comprehensive condition information and greater transparency in the used car trade is reflected in inspection data. Based on Saka's recent inspection data covering 3,000 cars, deficiencies requiring repair or further investigation were found in 12 percent of the inspected cars. The scale of Saka's condition inspections corresponds to A-Katsastus's nationwide figures covering the whole market.

The most common findings related to tyres and wheels, brake discs and the front axle assembly. The deficiencies found do not necessarily prevent the car from being sold or used, but they can affect the car's value, future maintenance costs or the buyer's purchase decision.

“In the used car trade, trust is built through information and everyday experience.”