Commercials

22nd September 2023

Are you in the market for a reliable, robust, and versatile vehicle? Look no further than your local used car dealership! While we often associate dealerships with cars, there’s a whole world of commercial vehicles waiting for you. Whether you’re a small business owner, contractor, delivery driver, or simply in need of a practical family van, our dealership has something special to offer. In this blog, we’re going to dive into why commercial vehicles should be on your radar and how we’re here to make your search easy and rewarding.

Why Choose a Commercial Vehicle?

1. A Vehicle for Every Need: At our dealership, we understand that your vehicle needs are unique. Commercial vehicles come in all shapes and sizes, catering to a diverse range of customers. Whether you’re hauling goods, transporting a crew, or embarking on a family adventure, we have a commercial vehicle tailored just for you.
2. Value for Your Investment: Investing in a commercial vehicle is more than just a practical decision; it’s a smart one. These vehicles are built to withstand the demands of daily use, ensuring that your investment will pay off for years to come. Plus, their higher price tags can often translate to better long-term value.
3. Reliability and Consistency: Commercial vehicles are the backbone of countless businesses, which means they are built to deliver consistent performance. When you choose a commercial vehicle from our dealership, you’re choosing reliability that won’t let you down.
4. Personalised Service: At our dealership, we’re not just here to sell you a vehicle; we’re here to match you with the perfect one. Our team takes the time to understand your unique needs, ensuring that the commercial vehicle you drive away with is the ideal fit for your lifestyle or business.

Your Guide to Finding the Perfect Commercial Vehicle

1. Your Needs First: We’re all about putting your needs first. When you visit our dealership, expect us to ask about your specific requirements, cargo capacity, and any other unique features you need in a vehicle. Our mission is to make sure you drive away with the perfect match.
2. Certified and Ready: Our commitment to your satisfaction means that every commercial vehicle we offer has been thoroughly inspected and certified. We take care of maintenance and repairs to ensure your peace of mind.
3. Financing Made Easy: Don’t let financing be a roadblock. We offer flexible financing options, including partnerships with lenders and in-house financing solutions. Your dream commercial vehicle is more accessible than you think.
4. Knowledgeable Team: Our sales team is well-versed in the world of commercial vehicles. They speak the language, know the specs, and can guide you through your options, ensuring you make an informed choice.
5. Your Trust Matters: We understand that trust is crucial when making a significant purchase. That’s why we offer warranty and service packages to provide you with the ultimate peace of mind.

Your next commercial vehicle is more than just a mode of transportation; it’s a key to unlocking new possibilities for your business or personal life. At our dealership, we’re here to make your journey seamless and enjoyable. Our commitment is to you, your unique needs, and your satisfaction. Come visit us today, and let’s find the commercial vehicle that will drive your success and adventures forward. Your journey starts here.

MOT and service history guide when buying a new car

22nd April 2022

MOT and service history guide when buying a new car

When you buy a used car, you will want to know it has an MOT and a good service history.
A reputable dealer like Rockpoint in Staffordshire will make this part easier for you.
All their cars have an MOT. And they also check each car’s service history.
But if you are buying a car privately, you will need to do your own checks.

How to check if a car has a valid MOT
To check if a car has an MOT as well as to look back at its MOT history is very straightforward.
Go to this government website and input the car’s registration number.
You will be able to see MOT tests carried out on the vehicle in England, Scotland, and Wales since 2005.
You could find out if it passed or failed, the mileage recorded at the time, which parts failed or had minor problems and when the next MOT is due.
If you want to also find out where the tests were done, you will need the 11-digit number from the vehicle’s logbook (V55C).
This search is free.

Vehicle service history
Cars should be serviced to the correct standards and can vary depending on the manufactuer.
A car which has always had its services carried out, at approved service stations with an official stamp, has a full-service history (FSH).
Partial service history means it was taken to a non-approved service station at some point, missed a service or does not have all its stamps, for example.
FSH is best but not having it does not mean that anything will necessarily be wrong with the vehicle, it just means you may not have a full picture of its history.

Service history books
In the past, vehicles had a service history booklet with all the information about when and where it received its routine services.
Each entry would have a stamp from a garage plus details of work carried out and the car’s mileage.
Service books can easily get lost, or paperwork go missing.

With newer cars, digital service books often relace physical ones with the services recorded electronically.

Tracking down the service history in both cases can take some detective work.

How to find out the service history of a car or other vehicle
It can be frustrating to try to piece together the service history of a vehicle.
But there are several steps you can take:

1. If buying from a dealership, they may be able to help you – ask the question.

2. Manufacturers also keep an online record of a car if it’s serviced by a franchised dealer.

3. Contact the garage who usually services the vehicle as they should keep records and may be able to supply you with missing documents. If you don’t know which garage or garages have been used, then perform the MOT check mentioned above, from the government’s website. Look at the MOT test locations – they are likely to be the same garages used by previous owners for services. Contact them to see if they hold any service records for the vehicle.

4. Go to the DVLA’s website and fill out a V888 form here. It costs £5 and allows you to find the previous owner’s details, who may be able to help you.

5. For digital service books you must complete an online registration form to gain access.

6. For a car that’s three years or younger, the service records should be held on a central database with the manufacturer.

NB: You will often need to prove that you are the vehicle owner when researching its service history either by showing a payment receipt signed by the previous owner. Or by showing the vehicle’s log book (the V5C) and knowing the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

Car finance: Everything you need to know

15th November 2021

Car Finance Guide Uk - Rockpoint Limited

You are ready to buy a car or you’ve already got your heart set on the perfect vehicle.
But how are you going to pay for it? The most popular way to buy a car these days is through car finance, here’s our complete guide to what it is, how to use it and all the benefits.

What is car finance?

Car finance is a popular option for customers who can’t afford to buy a vehicle outright or don’t want to do so.

It makes cars more affordable by dividing the cost into a deposit and a series of monthly payments.

A big percentage of people choose to buy their used cars through finance.

Trusted companies who offer it include Rockpoint Cars of Distinction in Staffordshire.

Director James Hoe said: “Lots of customers buy their cars on finance.

“It spreads out the cost and means that more people can drive away in their dream car.”
Who provides car finance?
Car dealers work with finance companies and other lenders to offer finance as an option for their customers.

The car is sold to the finance company and you pay that company back in instalments.
How to take out car finance
At dealerships like Rockpoint, a finance application can be made on the website.

Or you can visit and a salesman can fill in the application for you.

Having point-of-sale finance makes the process of borrowing money and buying a car much more straightforward.

James added: “The application is usually approved within an hour and you’re ready to drive off in the car you wanted.”

Types of finance
Hire Purchase
This traditional form of car finance works like a bank loan.

It usually involves a deposit of around 10 per cent then monthly instalments with interest.

At the end of the loan term, you own the car.
PCP Finance (Personal Contract Purchase)
This is very popular these days, particularly with those buying more expensive cars as monthly payments are lower.

It works like a combination of a leasing arrangement and a loan.

The deposit paid is usually around 10 per cent and the monthly payments are based on how much the car is likely to decrease in value.

At the end of the contract, you have the option to make a large final payment to buy the car.

What are the benefits of buying a car on finance?

Convenience
You don’t have to hunt around to find a loan from elsewhere, the dealer you are buying the vehicle from will do everything for you.

No deposit
With some car dealers, like Rockpoint, you don’t even have to pay a deposit to buy a car on finance as they offer a £0 deposit option.

Fixed payments
You know exactly what you are paying and when you are paying it when buying a car on finance.

The payments are fixed and your agreement lasts as you want it to last. There will be no surprise costs or fees.

Better car
When you buy on finance, it allows you to buy a better car and also to change your vehicle more frequently.

A newer car can be more reliable and cheaper to run.
Keep hold of your savings
Instead of spending your savings on a car, you can save or invest your money or spend on other purchases like a holiday or home improvements.

Part exchange
With a finance agreement, you can part-exchange your car for a new one when you are ready.

So, you don’t need to worry about trying to sell a vehicle yourself.

Car finance and your credit score

By keeping up with your monthly payments, you’re proving to future lenders that you can pay your loan back.

That means you should be accepted by more lenders in the future.

But if you miss payments and the lender has to take action against you, your credit rating will be damaged.

Don’t forget that formal applications also appear on your credit history so if you make numerous applications with different dealers, this will have a negative impact on your credit rating.

Rockpoint Cars of Distinction
At Rockpoint, we pride ourselves on stocking the best value, high-quality used vehicles for our customers.

Whether you decide to pay in cash of are eligible for one of our flexible finance options, we have you covered.
See our full range of quality used vehicles here.

Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions. Email james@rockpointbmw.co.uk or call 01827 283496.

How to tell if a vehicle has been in an accident

1st February 2021

Shutterstock 446621284 (1) - Rockpoint Limited

Buying a car is an exciting experience but can also be daunting if you don’t know what to look out for when making your choice.

An important risk to check for is whether a vehicle has previously been in an accident.

A damaged vehicle which has not been repaired properly can be unsafe to drive or may be worth less when you come to sell it.

So read our advice before choosing your second-hand vehicle.

How to tell if a vehicle has been in an accident

1. A vehicle history check

Make sure you choose a reputable dealer and ask if they will carry out a full vehicle check.

At Rockpoint, we offer the HPI check, widely considered the best in the UK.

It uses the registration number, chassis number (VIN) and logbook (V5C) details to throw up any issues with a car and its history such as its mileage, ownership and any outstanding finance.

It will also alert you to whether the car is an insurance write-off.

An insurance-write off happens when a car has suffered damage and the insurer considers the repairs to be uneconomical. The insurer keeps the car and pays the owner the car’s market value.

There are different categories of write-off from from A and B which must be destroyed to those in Category C or D, which can be repaired and put on the road again.

Here at Rockpoint, we would never sell a Cat C or Cat D car.

Some traders do but they are legally obliged to tell you if a car has previously been written-off while a private seller is not.

So, it’s always best to buy from a trusted dealer where possible.

2. Look for signs of paint work

One sign that a vehicle has been in an accident is paint work.
Make sure you examine the paintwork in the sun or under a bright light to check for body work repairs.

You are looking for inconsistencies such as differences in colour, shade, texture or shine between panels.

Look from different angles and distances.

Also check for paint over spray, where paint particles have settled on nearby parts, or signs of masking tape, used to prevent this.

3. Lacquer peeling

Car lacquer is a layer of clear coat which manufacturers apply over car paint to protect it.

It also gives a car its glossy appearance.

Damage to the car or a poor paint job can cause the lacquer to peel, which leaves the paintwork vulnerable and can be tricky to fix.

4. Panels not lined up correctly

Check panels when buying used cars
Uneven gaps between body panels and door gaps are another sign of accidental damage.

So, when looking around a vehicle, make sure to check the spacing and that the panels are lined up correctly and that the bumper sits flush.

If something doesn’t look right on one side compare it to the other side of the vehicle to see if it matches.

5. Bolts

Check to see if bolts have been tampered with or scratched inside the car on the bonnet, door or boot hinges.

If they have then the parts have probably been replaced or readjusted.

6. Registration plates

Check to see if the front and rear number plates are different.

If one is much newer, it may have been replaced due to being damaged in an accident.

7. New parts

Check for obviously new or replaced parts. In an accident, it is often the airbag cover or the lights which are damaged, so inspect these.

Compare the headlights and taillights to see if one is obviously newer.

8. Moisture in headlights or taillights

Used-car-buying-check-lights
If any lights have moisture inside then a corner could have been hit and cracked to let water inside.

A headlight can be costly to replace.

Buy from a trusted dealer where possible
Follow our tips when buying a used car and above all, remember to choose a reputable, trusted dealer like Rockpoint in Tamworth, Staffordshire.

Visit our website to see all the latest quality stock or call 01827 283496.

Please get in touch with any other questions you would like us to answer, email james@rockpointbmw.co.uk

Category: Buying

Why Choose a Commercial Vehicle?

Your Guide to Finding the Perfect Commercial Vehicle