PressClub United Kingdom · Article.
TLC gives MINI drivers £60 million boost
Tue Nov 08 15:15:00 CET 2005 Press Release
MINI's unique money-saving tlc servicing option continues to bowl customers over by offering unrivalled value-for-money motoring and peace of mind for the first five years of MINI ownership.
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Barbara Brailey
BMW Group
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Author.
Barbara Brailey
BMW Group
MINI's unique money-saving tlc servicing option continues to bowl customers
over by offering unrivalled value-for-money motoring and peace of mind for the
first five years of MINI ownership as well as a welcome financial boost when
owners come to part with their cars. Since its launch in 2001, according to
Glass's Guide* estimates, tlc has already saved UK MINI drivers in excess of
£30 million, when compared to servicing costs incurred by similar small car
owners, and has boosted the sales price of used MINIs by the same amount again.
MINI tlc, available to all UK retail and fleet customers when purchased with a
new MINI, covers scheduled servicing on the car for 5 years/50,000 miles,
including parts and labour, for just £150 (including VAT).
The benefits of the tlc package are not only limited to running costs, but also
contribute to MINI's rock solid residual values as any remaining tlc years pass
on to the second or third owners. Consequently, when owners come to part with
their MINI, Glass's has estimated that the penalty for a seller with no tlc can
be as high as £800 on a 6-12 month old car and £500 on a three year old car.
Such is the value of not incurring unforeseen servicing costs to a MINI buyer.
Based on SMMT Used MINI sales figures since launch, total revenue from used
MINI sales has been boosted by more than £30 million as a result of tlc.
Richard Crosthwaite, prestige car editor at Glass's Guide, and author of the
tlc savings estimates, said: "MINI is one of the slowest depreciating cars on
the market, with an average three year residual value of 55 per cent; the tlc
has been a major factor behind this success."
Andy Hearn, General Manager for MINI UK, adds: "Cost of ownership has always
been a MINI strength. Tlc has blazed a trail for customer value in the car
industry since its launch in 2001, and at just £150 our dealers still have a
job convincing some new owners there are no hidden catches!
Next year many MINI drivers will be reaching the end of the tlc package and we
fully expect the new MINI tlc XL package to take over the reins, providing
continued peace of mind for up to another three years / 30,000 miles."
MINI tlc comes on top of MINI's standard package of class-leading aftersales
packages. These include a three year/unlimited mileage warranty, six
year/unlimited mileage corrosion guarantee and a three year roadside assistance
programme that includes bespoke MINI service engineers, replacement loan car,
full European cover and accident management.
Ends.
Notes to Editors:
*Richard Crosthwaite, prestige car editor at Glass's Guide, has estimated that
the MINI tlc option offered savings of £500 to new MINI owners over five
years/50,000 miles when compared to a similar small car, based upon drivers
covering an average of 12,000 miles per year.
MINI tlc covers the cost of parts, lubricants and labour involved in all MINI
servicing up to five years/50,000 miles, whichever comes first. The five years
start from the date of first vehicle registration. Upon sale of the vehicle
MINI tlc can be transferred to the new owner at no additional cost.
MINI tlc XL adds a further three years or 30,000 miles to MINI tlc. The cost of
MINI tlc XL is £300 (inc. VAT), if bought separately from MINI tlc. MINI tlc XL
can only be bought for cars that have had MINI tlc when the car was first
registered.