Buying a used car is about much more than finding the right make, model and price. Behind every well-presented vehicle at Redgate Lodge, our quality used car dealership in Newcastle, is a huge amount of work, from mechanical preparation and PDI checks to cleaning, presentation and making sure every car looks its best on the forecourt.
In our latest behind-the-scenes look at life at Redgate Lodge, we take you through a busy day featuring a Jaguar F-Pace 300 Sport, a Range Rover Sport air conditioning repair, and a major redesign of the dealership forecourt.
A Jaguar F-Pace 300 Sport Gets the 10-Minute Test Drive
One of the highlights of the day at Tyne and Wear’s most trustworthy car dealers is a particularly smart Jaguar F-Pace 300 Sport.
This isn’t described as an ordinary F-Pace. The special-edition model has a distinctive appearance, with satin finishes around the grille, wheels, badges and window surrounds. Yellow stitching adds another visual detail throughout the interior, including the steering wheel and seats.
The F-Pace also comes with plenty of desirable equipment, including a panoramic roof, laser headlights, heated steering wheel, heated seats, climate control, cruise control, cameras, navigation, Apple connectivity and a Meridian sound system. The interior also features Alcantara and piano-black trim.
The particular car featured has covered 47,000 miles and comes with a full service history. Under the bonnet is a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6, giving the F-Pace plenty of performance to go with its sporty appearance.
So, what is it like to drive a Jaguar F-Pace?
The first impression is one of smoothness. Rather than delivering its performance in an overly aggressive way, the F-Pace provides a smooth delivery of power and drives nicely and straight.
It might not feel quite as explosive as some of the more powerful Range Rover Sport models, but the combination of performance, comfort and specification makes it an appealing used car package.
And, after the 10-minute test drive, the verdict is simple: another impressive car to have at the number one used car dealership in the north east.
Preparing Used Cars Properly at Redgate Lodge
One of the recurring themes is that selling used cars isn’t simply about buying a vehicle and putting it straight on the forecourt.
Preparation matters.
Our team of used car dealers in Newcastle discuss everything from tyres and brakes to number plates and general PDI checks. One example involves a Tesla that initially looked as though it would make a profit, only for preparation costs to turn the deal into a loss.
Rather than cutting corners, the decision was to complete the work properly.
The reasoning is straightforward: it is better to send a car out properly prepared than risk a customer discovering problems later. In this case, tyres and brake components needed attention, and the team regarded the additional preparation as part of delivering the right customer experience.
That approach is an important part of buying and selling used cars. The price on the windscreen is only one part of the customer experience. The condition of the vehicle, how it drives and how confidently it can be handed over all matter too.
Why PDI Checks Matter
The episode of Redgate Lodge | Dealership Diary on YouTube also highlights how small details can become important.
A number plate had been fitted using adhesive pads rather than screws, and the concern was that the plate could eventually work loose. The team decides that this should form part of their PDI checks going forward.
It’s a small example, but it demonstrates why a proper pre-delivery inspection (PDI) is so important.
A used car can look fantastic from the outside while still having small jobs that need addressing before it reaches its next owner. A thorough preparation process helps identify those details before the customer drives away.
Fixing the Air Conditioning on a Range Rover Sport
The Bosch workshop at Redgate Lodge In Newcastle is also busy, with a Range Rover Sport coming in because its air conditioning wasn’t working.
The initial diagnosis identified an issue with the air conditioning condenser. A visual inspection showed evidence of a leak, and a soapy-water test produced bubbles from the affected area, confirming the problem.
A replacement condenser was ordered, with the plan to replace the component and recharge the air conditioning system.
The repair isn’t necessarily a quick job, however.
The technician explains how the radiator pack has to be loosened and components removed to access the condenser. Once the old condenser is out, the replacement can be installed before the surrounding components are rebuilt.
Later in the repair, the new condenser is installed, the pipes and components are connected and the system is reassessed. A vacuum test is carried out before the air conditioning system is put back together.
It’s a good reminder that used car preparation and workshop servicing go hand in hand. A vehicle needs to be mechanically ready as well as visually appealing.
A Major Redgate Lodge Forecourt Move
Away from the workshop, there’s another major job taking place: the Redgate Lodge forecourt is being completely rearranged.
The new layout requires careful planning because every row needs to be positioned correctly. The cars need to be straight, symmetrical and easy to move.
The team also has to consider what vehicles are likely to arrive in the future, meaning the layout needs to work beyond just the current stock.
This is where used car dealership forecourt management becomes much more than simply parking cars.
The team considers where EVs should be grouped, where larger 4x4s and Defenders could go, which cars should sit on the front line and how vehicles can be removed without having to move several others first.
The objective is efficiency.
If a car sells, the team wants to be able to remove it without disrupting the entire forecourt. If new stock arrives, it needs to be possible to slot vehicles into the existing layout without starting again from scratch.
Your Forecourt Is Your Shop Window
One of the most interesting points from the forecourt move is the importance of car dealership presentation.
Redgate Lodge’s forecourt is effectively its shop window. Passing motorists see the vehicles before they ever enter the site, making the choice of cars on the front line an important part of the dealership’s presentation.
The team discusses how the selection of vehicles displayed at the front can influence what potential customers think about the business. Put only high-value, flashy cars at the front and someone passing by might assume the dealership only sells expensive vehicles. Include more affordable cars and it can create a broader impression.
The front row therefore isn’t just about making the forecourt look tidy.
It’s about visibility, presentation and attracting the right customers.
The Customer Experience Comes First
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from a busy day at Redgate Lodge is that the work behind the scenes ultimately comes down to one thing: customer experience.
Whether it’s making sure a car receives the tyres and brake work it needs, completing PDI checks, diagnosing a Range Rover Sport air conditioning fault or carefully arranging the forecourt, every job contributes to what happens when a customer eventually buys the car.
A used car dealership isn’t simply somewhere that sells cars.
It’s a combination of vehicle sourcing, mechanical preparation, detailing, presentation, photography, customer service and careful stock management.
And, as this behind-the-scenes look at Newcastle’s leading used car dealers shows, there’s a lot more going on behind the scenes than customers might realise.
From the Jaguar F-Pace 300 Sport test drive to the Range Rover Sport air conditioning repair and the major Redgate Lodge forecourt move, it’s another busy day making sure the cars are ready, the dealership looks its best and customers get the experience they deserve.