Here are a few simple tips which may help you choose the right valeter for you:

Insurance - Always ask if the valeter is insured, all should carry public liability insurance, as well as motor trades insurance if they are going to drive your vehicle, you can ask to see a copy of their insurance if you are in any doubt. Motor Trades Insurance covers the valeter to drive your vehicle if required to do so in connection with their job, ie collection and delivery and moving to a more appropriate location to be valeted, not all motor trades policies will cover all vehicles. Public Liability Insurance will cover accidents on site to yourself ot third party. It will also cover accidents to your vehicle, for example if a valeter drops a piece of equipment on your car it will be insured, if they damage your vehicle by incorrect use of that piece of equipment they will not be insured. Some valeters will also hold a due care insurance policy, which covers negligence on the part of the valeter as described in the above example, although this isn't suggested by many insurers as by being a professional you are expected to have a good degree of knowledge and therefore negligence should not occur.

Advice from Lloyd Davis at Coversure, our Valeting Insurance Specialist can be found here

Price - As with most things, you get what you pay for. That is not to say that the most expensive is always the best, but a professional valeter will have a professional skill level and you should expect to pay for that level of expertise, as you would with a mechanic or an electrician. A good job will use good chemicals and will take time to complete.

No Obligation Quotation - Ask for a vehicle inspection, many professional valeters will offer this service without you needing to ask. Listen to what the valeter suggests and ask any questions you may have. Pick the valeters brain, do they seem knowledgable? Have they valeted similar vehicles before? Have they experience in any particular services that you need?

Recommendation - This can be a great way of finding a valeter, but always be wary as whilst your colleague may be happy with a shiny dashboard, or to havetheir car wash with a dirty sponge as it was a cheap wash, it may not be what you are looking for! As well as this, they may have valeted many Mondeos, but may never have detailed a Bentley.

Guarantees - Ask what guarantees they offer. Although valeting is not a regulated industry, many valeters will offer to come back and rectify anything you are not happy with free of charge, when it is an element that should of been included in the level of valet that has been chosen

Techniques - Many valeters will employ particular techniques when valeting prestige vehicles and others will use these techniques on all vehicles. These techniques can include:

Wash mitts - Using a wash mitt is a particularly safe way to wash vehicles, especially when they are made from natural materials such as lambswool. A wash mitt allows any impurities that are on your paintwork to be taken up into the mitt rather than scraped across your car's paintwork as can be the case with sponges.

Two Buckets - This method can be used for the washing process, one bucket for the shampoo solution and one containing plain water. This allows the wash mitt or sponge to be plunged into the clean water to rinse away any impurities before dipping it into the wash water. The mitt is cleaned and the dirt and particles are not put into the shampoo solution to risk being picked up and wiped across the vehicles paintwork and damage it.

There are different types of valeting service, this should help you decide which will be best for your vehicle's requirements.

AUTOMATED CAR WASH - Mechanical and automated car washes are a cost effective option, but strong chemicals and brushes are not always the best thing for your vehicles paintwork. In addition they may also miss large patches, particularly around the sills, wheels and intricate bumper areas

DRIVE THROUGH HAND CAR WASH - Once again a cost effective option, but many will use strong chemicals which can be harmful to paintwork and alloy wheels, especially if used too frequently

VALETER - Another cost effective option. Jobbing valeters may not have insurance, may not be fully self sufficient, will often use basic equipment, chemicals and techniques, the bulk of their work is usually wash and vacs. Full valets will often have a limited choice of services and not offer any of the more specialised services. Sometimes valeters are also present at at drive through hand car washes

PROFESSIONAL VALETER - Professional valeters may work from a fixed location or be mobile. They will be insured, will use the best techniques, chemicals and equipment. They will offer a personalised and specialised service, which may include paint correction,  deodorising, correct leather treatments etc which will be tailored for each individual vehicle's needs