AM Awards: Best dealer website, Autoquake

Autoquake launched its AM Award-winning used car website in 2007. It built its business processes from scratch to cater for new demands from the evolving UK consumer.

Autoquake founder Fredrik Skantze and its chief executive Garry Hobson specifically set out to cut the physical showroom and salesman “closing the deal” out of the purchasing process.

The website allows customers to make their own purchase decision online, on used cars which it receives directly from leasing companies and fleets.

Autoquake does not pay fleets until the car is sold, which avoids inventory costs. This cost saving is passed down to the consumer.

“The website allows the customer to make a decision in their own time”

Autoquake designed a process to counter the “information disadvantage” consumers feel when dealing with professional sales staff.

The website, which receives 220,000 unique visitors a month, gives consumers all the information they need, allowing them to make a decision in their own time.

Each car is described with about 50 photos, including an interactive condition viewer that shows any scuff or dent on the car.

The consumer can reserve the car with a £100 deposit.
Cars are sold at a fixed price – generally 10% lower than car supermarkets – with no haggling. There is a seven-day money back guarantee. A Parker’s Price Guide retail price is displayed to accurately show the car’s value.

The website has a dedicated call centre to deal with customers that want to speak to someone and there are two handover centres where cars can be picked up from.
Autoquake also offers a home delivery service for a small fee.

Customers can also buy extra services such as GAP insurance, finance and warranty.

The website allows customers to calculate their own finance deal by entering different values for their deposit and adjusting loan periods. The customer is then in charge of calculating a payment scheme that meets their budget.

Highly Commended