Benchmark valuations for cars and vans are now instantly available in any location with the launch of a new SMS text message and web service from CAP.

The new service - Valuation Anywhere - provides mileage-adjusted benchmark used car or van values in seconds. Users just send the vehicle registration and mileage from their mobile phone and receive a valuation back.

Comprehensive vehicle coverage is offered direct from CAP’s Platinum Black and Red Book databases, covering over 30,000 cars and more than 11,000 vans from one month to more than 20 years old.

The service is linked to a web application, which is automatically populated with additional data as soon as a valuation request is made.

This includes specification and equipment details, guaranteeing increased vehicle identification accuracy and protecting against fraud.

As well as benefiting from instant valuations on their phone, customers are able to manage the data automatically received in the web application.

This can be adjusted and used in a variety of ways, such as populating vehicle record or reporting systems or printed for use as point of sale material.

When the user texts a registration number and mileage to Valuation Anywhere, the system returns a precise CAP value, adjusted for condition, along with the vehicle’s model, variant, registration date.

Simultaneously details can be automatically returned to the user’s email address while a full record is created in their Valuation Anywhere web account.

Where the vehicle mileage is unknown a valuation for the vehicle at CAP’s standard mileage bands is returned.

Essential additional data triggered by a mobile valuation request includes VIN number, colour, standard equipment, fuel consumption and the options available when the vehicle was new.

This protects users from fraud and ensures the greatest possible accuracy in identifying and pricing a vehicle for purchase and re-sale.