Taking the risk out of buying a second-hand car

Not every customer can or wants to buy a new car. A second-hand car is therefore the ideal choice for many. For them too, Škoda has a solution. Find out about the benefits of the Škoda Plus scheme.

18. 12. 2024 Škoda World

The strongest argument for buying a second-hand car from an authorised Škoda Plus dealer is that it offers certainty: certainty that the car is not only in good technical condition, but that you can depend on its history, origin or mileage data.

“All Škoda Plus cars have undergone a thorough technical inspection, so the customer can be sure that the car will work properly for a long time, without the need for unexpected repairs,” explains Jiří Soudek, the man responsible for the Škoda Plus scheme and its current expansion into European countries.

Cars in the Škoda Plus scheme undergo a thorough technical inspection.

Not every car qualifies for the Škoda Plus programme. The criteria are strict and mainly relate to the technical quality of the vehicle, its age and mileage. Only vehicles with a documented service history are eligible for Škoda Plus. These cars are covered by a minimum one-year warranty, among other things.

One of the most important questions when choosing a new car is the fuel system. European statistics show that the average share of cars with petrol engines has remained stable over the long term at 43%. The share of diesel cars has been declining slightly over the long term and is now at 33%. In contrast, alternative powertrains are on the up, with plug-in hybrids now accounting for around 10% of European sales, mild hybrids 8% and electric cars 6%.

The range of models in the Škoda Plus scheme is wide.

Electric cars are particularly popular in Scandinavia, where they rank first not only among new car sales but also among used cars. The Škoda Enyaq, for example, is one of the top three best-selling used cars in Denmark.

New Škoda Plus

The aim of the Škoda Plus certified programme is to give customers buying used cars the same experience as when buying new cars. One of the core tools is our brand’s digital platform, into which the cars are fully integrated. “Today, almost every customer searches online for the car they want. As the offered used cars are fully integrated into the Škoda ecosystem, we can guarantee our customers professionally prepared offers, from detailed car specifications to detailed photos and certificates informing about the origin of the car,” Jiří Soudek adds.

Extended warranty takes the worry out of used cars

Naturally, the more electric cars are in use, the greater their share of the used car market will be. The most important part of a used electric car is the battery. Škoda Plus tries to help used car buyers in this respect, so it is introducing a battery condition certificate. Based on a test at an authorised service centre, this certificate guarantees the customer the remaining battery capacity. Thanks to this service, the customer can be 100% sure of the condition of his future car’s most important and also most expensive component.

The cars are also properly adjusted.

This service is already offered by Škoda Plus in the Czech Republic and Poland, with more markets due to be added soon. “We try to give our customers as much information as possible about charging and range, including tips on how to reduce consumption through the optimal use of various features in the car. For example, we offer smart online calculators that let the customer simulate the charging speed according to the type of charger, or the range according to the driving style or outside temperatures. We want customers to have all the information they need to make an informed decision about what type of new car to choose,” says Soudek.

Needless to say, customers have the opportunity to take the car for a thorough test drive. One of the main advantages of Škoda Plus is the aforesaid minimum one-year warranty that every certified car has. With Škoda Plus, the customer also has the option of exchanging the car within a certain period of time or using the mobility guarantee service.

Roll-out right across Europe

The Europe-wide sales forecast for 2024 is 13 million new and 40 million used cars. The ambition of Škoda Plus is to offer customers high-quality and proven vehicles and provide the superior service that customers expect from our brand. “Thanks to the experience we have gained in countries where Škoda Plus is already established, we are confident in our ability to successfully expand our certified used car programme across Europe. Given that the used car market is roughly three times larger than the new car market, we see a great opportunity to reach more customers and to professionalise used car sales through the Škoda Plus certified programme,” Jiří Soudek concludes.

The scheme also includes the purchase of used cars.