Kwik-Fit Fleet Offers Air Conditioning Recharging Service

Kwik-Fit Fleet has expanded its range of services to company car and van drivers with the introduction of air conditioning recharging. Available at all of Kwik-Fit’s 670 High Street centres nationwide, the while-you-wait recharge costs £44.95 including VAT on any make or model of vehicle. The fixed price is up to 70 per cent cheaper than equivalent prices at some franchise dealers, according to the company’s research.

Air conditioning recharging has been piloted at 100 Kwik-Fit centres in London and the South East of England since summer last year. Now demand from customers has resulted in Britain’s largest independent fast-fit company rolling out the service UK-wide.

Vehicle manufacturers typically recommend an air conditioning recharge every two years as up to 20 per cent of refrigerant can permeate through vehicle hoses even without a leak, which will impact on the in-car temperature.

The Kwik-Fit recharge, which takes 45 minutes to complete, includes checking the vent temperature, checking pressure of refrigerant in the car, removing whatever remaining refrigerant is in the vehicle’s air conditioning unit, removing impurities from that refrigerant using recycling equipment, undertaking a leak check, refilling system with the correct amount of refrigerant according to individual vehicle manufacturer’s specification, completing a second leak check and finally a second temperature check.

Research by Kwik-Fit reveals that a typical air conditioning recharging service at a franchised dealer can cost from around £75 including VAT to about £150 including VAT in some cases – the average dealership price is about £80 including VAT. In addition to paying more than at Kwik-Fit, drivers will typically have to book a service slot, which may not be available for up to 10 days.

Air conditioning recharging is being offered by Kwik-Fit Fleet on a ‘recharge or no charge’ basis as it is impossible to check the efficiency of an air conditioning unit without undertaking the work. If the vent temperature is not reduced by 10 per cent as a result of the work then customers will not be charged.

Kwik-Fit Fleet sales director Mike Wise said: “We are continually looking to expand our range of added value services to motorists. With summer just around the corner now is an opportune time to launch our comprehensive air conditioning recharging offer. Huge demand for the service in the pilot scheme has given us the confidence to equip all of our centres with air conditioning recharge units.

“Our ability to significantly undercut the cost of air conditioning recharging quoted by franchise dealers, coupled with a no booking policy provides fleets and company car and van drivers with a win-win situation.”

The new initiative comes hard on the heels of Kwik-Fit Fleet expanding its established range of tyre, battery, brake and exhaust fast-fit services to corporate customers to include MoTs and service, maintenance and repair work.