Lex has launched an incentive scheme designed to reward dealers who provide the best service to its customers.

Based on their customer service index rating, high-scoring dealers will be placed into three tiers and awarded a graded bonus depending on which tier they fall into.

Managing Director Jon Walden said: “We have had calls from board members and fleet directors who we have never spoken to before in response to their dealers receiving extra money for providing an excellent level of service to our drivers.”

Lex appoints dealers for its 178,000 fleet according to customer demand, including some independent garages where they have been unable to find suitable main dealer support.

The company has also found some dealers are unwilling to work with them, choosing to focus on their apparently more lucrative retail business. Lex hopes that by offering rewards they will encourage more dealers to join them, and existing ones to strive for better service.

Walden said: “Too many service managers focus on keeping their departments busy in the short term,” he said. ”They forget about forging relationships with the likes of Lex who can offer regular volumes of maintenance and warranty work in the long term.

“The announcement of our bonus fund shows we are keen on working with partners over a long time.”