Fleets are being offered a ‘personal shopper’ to help save time and money when sourcing vehicles.

Outside Lane, an internet-based vehicle sourcing business, has shown an average saving per vehicle of £415 compared with car supermarkets and £1,282 compared with approved used dealers.

Steve Myers, managing director of the independent car buying service, said: “A ‘personal shopper’ will be appointed to search the country and locate each prospective client’s required used vehicle to their exact specification and budget.

“We will then inspect, appraise, acquire, prepare the vehicle to showroom condition, deliver and then personally handover the vehicle to the customer at their location of choice. Choice and price are typically among the key issues for car buyers and Outside Lane delivers on both counts.”

Myers said because Outside Lance sources vehicles at trade prices it is able to pass on savings to customers.

Keith Englebright, fleet manager of Essex-based PMS International, acquired a fleet of 10 vehicles through Outside Lane.

He said: “Having a smart fleet of vehicles is important to the image of my business. The nearly-new cars we purchased through Outside Lane were more cost-effective for the company than buying new.

“The fact that the vehicles were professionally sourced and delivered to the business meant I was able to focus all my energies on my job and not be distracted by having to visit numerous dealerships.”

Myers added: “The business and personal pressures on many of our typical customers means they are increasingly time poor.

“With no up-front finder’s fee and built-in customer satisfaction guarantees we believe that the method of internet buying that we are providing is cost-effective and takes the hassle out of what can be a huge chore with none of the risk associated with a private sale.”