How to make your fleet vehicles last longer

Whether your fleet consists of vans, cars or a mix of the two when you're running a business you want to be sure to get the most out of what you’ve paid for. This blog shares our tips for getting your money's worth when it comes to your fleet vehicles by helping them last as long as possible.

Regular vehicle inspections
Whether this is done by the business owner, fleet manager or even individual drivers make sure to regularly inspect the fleet vehicles. It only takes a couple of minutes to check things like tyre wear & fluid levels but these checks can help highlight any larger issues (wheel alignment, fluid leaks) helping you tackle them before they cause any permanent damage.

Make sure drivers check vehicle gauges 
If there is a problem with the oil pressure, cooling system (and sometimes even tyre pressure) the vehicles gauges will warn you. Make sure your employees/drivers regularly check the vehicle dashboard in order to flag up any potentially harmful maintenance issues which need to be reported back to the business owner or fleet manager.  

Regular fluid & filter replacements
It’s common knowledge that fluids and filters on your van or car need regular replacement, but we know that in fleet vehicles these are often overlooked. Changing your air filter is essential as if it is clogged your engine will not perform properly, and a clogged filter can cause long-term harm to the engine (and reduce fuel economy). 

Checking cooling system and coolant levels
No-one wants a cooling system failure. Coolant is essential in ensuring the engine is well lubricated, and failure to do so can result in serious damage and even complete engine failure.  

Driving habits
Everyone drives a little differently, and this will play a significant part in how long fleet vehicles last. Encourage drivers to avoid accelerating quickly and braking harshly as this can affect the engine and cause excessive wear to the breaks amongst other things.

Find a garage that you trust
Once you’ve found somewhere with the capacity and skills to service and maintain your entire fleet under one roof it’s beneficial to stick with them. When it comes to our regular fleet service clients we know their vehicles inside out, their previous repairs and service history, and even the types of wear most commonly caused by each driver. This allows us to be very proactive when it comes to fleet maintenance, double checking problem areas associated with each vehicle even if these areas lie out of recommended service checks.

Consistent vehicle maintenance
Owner manuals will have a recommended maintenance schedule, but these are just a guideline and won’t take into account the type of vehicle usage. When maintaining a fleet it’s essential to have a servicing schedule adjusted to the requirements of your individual vehicles in order to pick up on potential problems and prevent any unnecessary vehicle damage. As discussed in the previous point using one trusted garage for fleet maintenance services will help ensure your vehicles receive the care they require. 

We’re here to help you and your business
Our flexible and bespoke fleet maintenance services are designed with you in mind. We will tailor our services to suit your business, with flexible time slots, proactive fleet maintenance and MOT test and servicing reminders. Our Bognor Regis garage has the capacity to service multiple vehicles at once, and our skilled mechanics will ensure your vehicles are at their best and back on the road as soon as possible. Want to find out more about our fleet services? Give us a call on 01243 870600 or send us an email.