Benfield Motor Group  has received the first ever 'Five-Star' rating in a new national award scheme which recognises best sales practice.

The group has been praised by UsedCarExpert for its good customer practice and fairly priced stock.

The UsedCarExpert analyses the prices of up 200,000 used cars every month and is recognised for its independence and stringent inspection process, including the Used Car Approved Car scheme.

Mark King, Benfield's internet sales manager, said: "We work exceptionally hard to provide the right balance of customers service and price, so to be recognised by an independent body like UsedCarExpert is testimony to our overall service to motorists."

"The Used Car Expert logo will be applied to all our cars on sale through Benfield's Internet product offering providing customers with our stamp of approval."

Matt Tumbridge, who edits the UsedCarExpert.co.uk website, said: “It is becoming harder and harder for the UK's army of used car buyers to get all the back-up of a main dealer yet still find a low-priced car.

“And it is harder still to find sites where there is a wide mix of stock from different brands. Now, if buyers see a motor for sale either on our site or elsewhere with the UsedCarExpert award logo on it, they will know the dealer has passed our stringent inspection, including the key offering of a Used Approved scheme or similar.”

"Benfield won because of its exceptional levels of customer care and a remarkable commitment to quality. They are outstanding dealers and we believe that promoting this will see other dealers raise their game -improving the market for ordinary car buyers,” said Tumbridge.

Benfield has 30 car dealerships throughout the North East of England, Teesside, Yorkshire, Cumbria and West of Scotland.