Why keeping your fleet serviced and in good working order is more important now than ever
The UK vehicle market has been heavily impacted by the pandemic – so how should you respond?
If a new car is going to go wrong, it will do so within the first six months in service, and these are primarily faults that have come from the manufacturer. Although faults like these will probably be covered by warranty, it’s still time off the road whilst the repair is carried out.
Both of which are costly to you.
As businesses look to save money wherever possible, there’s been a record rise in the number of used car sales – and the importance of maintaining these vehicles is pivotal to reducing expenditure.
Why does poor vehicle maintenance cost you so much?
In a nutshell – fuel efficiency. Everything that needs maintenance has a knock-on effect on your fuel tank. The more inefficient the car is, the lower the mpg, the harder it hits your bottom line.
If an engine has dirty fuel injectors and air cleaning elements, it will affect the combustion process and more fuel will be needed to produce the same amount of power.
Likewise, if tyres are worn, overloaded and at the incorrect pressure – it will affect your mpg.
Keeping your fleet serviced and in good order is crucial to staying on top of your finances – and it’s not just the fuel tank that needs monitoring.
Driver behaviour, inefficient admin processes and inconsistent maintenance routines can all contribute to higher costs.
Fleet managers and staff spend time and resource tracking which vehicles need maintenance. This along with the time it takes to shop around, find the best price, and book in the necessary servicing, all contribute to the costs involved in maintaining your fleet.
How to increase efficiency
Technology and data are your greatest friends when it comes to increasing efficiency.
Having access to data associated with vehicle maintenance and fuel consumption is hugely advantageous for any fleet manager.
Once you understand more about the mileage, frequency of fuel stops and the service routines of your fleet, you can use this data to deploy more efficient resources, coordinate the maintenance of your vehicles and control your costs.
This data will tell you what you need, on which vehicle and when.
Using digital solutions and fuel cards
Fleet managers can use digital admin solutions like ours to send employees reminders, through a user-friendly dashboard. So if you want greater control over services, maintenance, repairs and MOTs, feel free to ask for more info.
And another improvement to efficiency is fuel cards.
Once you have control over your fuel costs, you should then consider which provider to choose. Look for one that has a solid network of franchised and independent garages nationwide, including tyre and glass specialists.
They can often offer discounts and pre-negotiated rates on maintenance and repairs through their partners.
Preparing for the road ahead
As we move into 2021 and the uncertainty over Brexit and COVID-19 continues, it’s more important than ever for businesses to take control over their processes and stay on top of finances.
As we continue to innovate and look for ways to improve efficiencies, streamlining vehicle maintenance shouldn’t be overlooked as a way to stay on top. If you want a simple solution that helps you do that, let us know at [email protected].
