An alliance with Fiat Group will allow the UK’s largest independent bodyshop chain to offer customers the chance to buy their courtesy car at a preferential rate.

Motorists who use Nationwide Accident Repair Services following a crash will be offered an Fiat or Alfa Romeo courtesy car. If their own car is then deemed a write-off, Nationwide will offer them Fiat’s preferential rates to buy the courtesy car or even a totally new one.

Paolo Lo Monaco, finance and business development director, FGA UK & Ireland, said: “Around 20% of accident-damaged cars are written off and this figure is rising each year, so the Nationwide agreement will clearly give Fiat the opportunity to offer extended test drives to retail customers at the right point of the purchasing cycle.”

The scheme is being offered in 11 of Nationwide’s 73 bodyshops, which will exclusively offer Fiat Group cars from a stock of 400 Alfa Mitos, 159s, Giuliettas, Fiat 500s, Pandas, Punto Evos and Bravos. Fiat expects more sites to get on board in the next year.