Having vehicles off the road for repairs costs time and money. Accidents happen and it is down to fleet managers to minimise any disruption. But when they know a vehicle is going to be off the road, such as for regular servicing or inspection, by working smarter, they can reduce the impact even further – and even save money.
Planning
Accidents happen. The best-laid plans can appear to go out the window when the unexpected occurs, such as when a vehicle undergoing a routine service and inspection can fail its MOT, or another vehicle in the fleet breaks down at the same time or is involved in a crash. But this does not mean that a company’s transport division grinds to a halt.
No one can predict every scenario that can impact a business, but with the right plans and fleet insurance in place, good fleet managers can avoid disaster and keep the wheels turning.
And it is working smarter – not harder – that Matt Wrankmore, Head of Garage Network at FixMyCar, advocates in an article in Fleet Point.
While you would expect fleet managers to be head of the maintenance game compared to private motorists, it is still worrying that new research shows six in ten drivers are unsure when a new vehicle first needs an MOT, and more than half don’t fully understand what the test covers.
This is an even bigger concern for fleet managers if employees are using their own vehicles for work.
Consequences
Matt said: The lack of clarity has consequences for both drivers and fleet operators. When drivers are uncertain about MOT requirements, it can lead to missed deadlines, unexpected downtime, and unnecessary costs.
“The MOT knowledge gap causes serious issues, but it also presents a significant opportunity for the fleet and garage sector. There’s a chance here for both to improve communications and provide clearer, more accessible information, to help drivers understand MOT requirements and keep vehicles safe, compliant, and roadworthy.
“This lack of awareness means many drivers are blithely buying and using vehicles with no real understanding of their roadworthiness. A 2021 AA poll of 15,000 drivers found that only around half of drivers carry out MOT and service history checks before buying a used car, and two in five say they do not feel at all confident judging a car’s mechanical condition before buying.
“Missed MOT checks put both compliance and vehicle safety at risk. One in six drivers who didn’t act on advisory notices following an MOT in the last 12 months (an estimated six million people) went on to experience a vehicle breakdown, or were involved in a collision as a result, the RAC recently reported.
“Drivers who miss checks and unknowingly operate vehicles with serious problems – or who have an MOT check but due to a lack of understanding don’t take advisories seriously – greatly increase the safety risk to themselves and other drivers.
Liability
“This also causes big compliance issues for fleet operators, as businesses are liable for all vehicles used for work purposes – even if an employee is using their own car. Yet around a third (31%) of employees who use their private car for business-related journeys say they have not been asked to show a valid MOT certificate to their employer.”
Another area Matt identifies as key is knowing what maintenance needs to be carried out on a vehicle – which can save fleet operators time and money.
He added: “When drivers don’t understand basic MOT requirements, they may be vulnerable to paying for unnecessary work. For businesses who are conscious of costs in a tough economic climate, paying any more than necessary is disastrous even as a one-off, let alone consistently.”
He believes forming partnerships between fleet operators and garages, which can benefit both sides.
He said: “Both garages and fleet partners can collaborate, and foster greater trust, through better communication and smarter processes. There’s a responsibility for both parties to educate drivers, so the majority aren’t confused about when a vehicle first needs an MOT or what a test actually covers. Clearer, more accessible, non-intimidating MOT information will go a long way in helping drivers take control of car safety, reducing the risks and costs associated with unreliable cars.”
