The Vehicle Remarketing Association (VRA) Inspections Working Committee, established to consider how realistic it might be to take a standard approach to vehicle inspections, has concluded that this will only happen if the industry at large works collectively towards this goal.

It has called for the main trade associations in the fleet and leasing sector come together with the remarketing organisations to begin the initiative.

The VRA recognises the value of the long established BVRLA ‘fair wear & tear’ guide and the more recently introduced NAMA inspection report, which uses a zero-tolerance principal and has a condition grading scale for the principal purpose of providing information to sellers and importantly, to prospective buyers.

But it highlighted significant differences between these two inspection types alone and notes that there are a large number of additional variations along the same lines in the market, covering seller and buyer requirements.

John Davies, VRA chairman, said: “Irrespective of the historic reasons behind the different inspection types, it’s far from ideal that the industry still has no single commonly agreed format upon which to base a vehicle inspection.

"After all, whatever the inspection is required for, surely it would make more sense to use a consistent approach, which ultimately would make it much easier for sellers and buyers and would undoubtedly drive cost efficiencies in the process.

"A key element in moving towards this goal will be to get all those with a vested interest in achieving this, to collectively determine a strategy for consistency, supported by common practices."

Davies said he is confident of achieving a more joined-up approach in the medium term.

The VRA will be reaching out to the obvious main influencers, including the BVRLA, FLA, RMIF and NAMA to join in a discussion forum early next year.