The Specialist Automotive Finance (SAF) test has been formally accredited by the National Skills Academy for Financial Services (NSAFS).

Specialist Automotive Finance was introduced by the Finance and Leasing Association (FLA) several years ago and has been since adopted by numerous AM100 car dealer groups.

NSAFS has now independently assessed the quality of the SAF online competence test and supporting reference material and awarded its ‘accredited programme’ status.

NSAFS was particularly impressed with the bespoke nature of the SAF test and how it was continually revised to reflect the training needs of the motor finance industry. Accreditation will help the FLA to continue to raise the profile of SAF and attract more users from the dealer community.

The FLA has also recently revised the SAF reference material to include new chapters on mental capacity and on the OFT’s Guidance for Credit Brokers and Intermediaries.

The new chapters will help increase dealers’ knowledge and understanding and questions on each will now form part of the SAF test.

Paul Harrison, FLA head of motor finance at the FLA, said: "We are pleased that the SAF training has been recognised by the academy as being of a very high quality, and relevant to everyone working in the motor finance industry. The Academy’s logo will be displayed with pride on SAF test materials.”