Mahindra South Africa has introduced the concept of a dedicated Mahindra certified pre-owned vehicle franchise.

This is a dedicated used-vehicle division that is being launched at qualifying Mahindra dealers across South Africa. 

These franchises enjoy the backing of Mahindra South Africa and will offer customers a new level of service and peace of mind, promises the company.

“Our team has developed this new used-vehicle offering in response to the ever-increasing demand for used Mahindra vehicles,” says Mahindra South Africa CEO Rajesh Gupta.

“We decided to create a process and brand that would not only ensure a greater supply of used Mahindra vehicles, but also give customers a higher level of confidence and peace of mind in their purchase.”

The availability and quality of used-vehicles have come under scrutiny of late, following sales disruptions during the Covid-19 lockdown and the limited global supply of new vehicles.

“In any situation where demand outstrips supply, there is upward pressure on vehicle prices, and this opens the door for vehicles of questionable quality to be sold at high prices,” says Gupta.

“We believe this makes the introduction of Mahindra certified pre-owned a priority, and we look forward to working with our dealer network to introduce this innovation at more and more dealers in the coming months.”

For a used Mahindra to be sold under the new certified pre-owned banner, it must meet specific selection criteria and pass a 120-point inspection. 

During this process, assigned technical specialists at participating Mahindra dealerships inspect the vehicle against a set of visual and mechanical criteria.

Once a Mahindra has passed this inspection, it receives a quality certification and is moved to the next step – mileage and ownership verification.

During this second process, Mahindra and its service providers check each vehicle to ensure that its mileage is true, that it has been serviced or repaired according to the company’s standards and that it has a certifiable ownership record.

To further emphasise its commitment to quality and peace of mind, each Mahindra sold under this banner will come with a 12-month mechanical warranty and a complimentary 12-month service plan for the same period. 

This warranty and service plan do not replace any existing plans on the vehicle, and are simply add-ons.

Each Mahindra sold under this programme will also receive a 12-month roadside assistance service from the Automobile Association. 

The introduction of Mahindra certified pre-owned vehicles follows the introduction of Mahindra value-fit parts. 

Value-fit parts are aimed at owners of high-mileage Mahindra vehicles that are no longer covered by a mechanical warranty or service plan.

Mahindra Centurion, Mahindra Vaal, Eagle Mahindra, Mahindra Rustenburg, Mahindra Port Elizabeth and Mahindra East London are among the first dealers to introduce the Mahindra certified pre-owned programme.