Broadway Motor Company, the six site used van retailer, has reported an increasing demand for strong warranty cover from buyers.

The group, owned by global giant GE, says the strong market is being fuelled by small businesses buying high quality used LCVs as an alternative to new.

National sales leader Ian Griffiths said: “The trades people who at the moment are the backbone of demand are often buying a used vehicle because they believe it is a prudent alternative in the current economic climate to buying or leasing a new van or truck.

“Really, they want their used purchase to provide as closely as possible the same degree of reassurance as buying new in terms of reliability. They don’t want their vehicle to let them down or bring about unexpected bills. A warranty is central to bringing them reassurance.”

Griffiths added that buyers were frequently asking detailed questions about warranties in terms of length of time and items covered before committing to buying a used vehicle.

He said: “It is clearly something that buyers are thinking about in detail. They want to ensure that the warranty will cover them against as many eventualities as possible. This is something that we try and meet by providing what we describe as ‘no nonsense’ cover.”

Broadway Motor Company has branches in Neasden, Manchester, Stoke on Trent, Rotherham, Derby and Billingham.