Car dealers are set to benefit as the Allstar fuel card now can now be used by businesses to pay for servicing, maintenance and repair (SMR).

Service, maintenance and repair bills will be handled in the same way as their customers’ fuel costs, being paid directly by Allstar to the dealer, on presentation of an authorised Allstar card. These transactions will be processed through the 1link Service Network.

The new facility is being aimed primarily at SME fleets to increase their limited SMR options and reduce administration and do away with the need for pay-and-reclaim systems with all spending consolidated into a single VAT approved invoice.

Brian Flood, vice president of product, said: “This is good news for garages who are approved to take the Allstar card. We expect significant take-up of the new service, maintenance and repair facility among fuel card customers resulting in more business being concentrated though our network. Allstar can also reduce the credit risk for garages who run in house credit accounts, with prompt payment helping improve cash flow and balance sheets.”

The new SMR service will be automatically activated on fleet accounts from April 23 and customers will be able to search for their local garages using Allstar’s free downloadable Android or Apple site locator app, which will include every location across the UK where drivers can use Allstar to pay for service, maintenance and repair.

There are more than 1.1 million Allstar fuel cards in circulation.