Fleet maintenance 101: What is it and where to start

Understanding the basics of maintaining a fleet is vital to ensure vehicles are safe, can stay on the road, and keep your business moving.

Here, we cover the essentials you need to know about fleet maintenance and assistance. And how Alphabet can help make your role easier.

What is fleet maintenance?

Fleet maintenance is the care and upkeep of your company vehicles.

It covers a range of services including vehicle servicing, repairs, provision of roadside assistance, and effective accident management to ensure that your fleet operates at peak efficiency.

But it's not just about mechanical care; it also takes into account factors like fuel consumption, mileage, and driver training to minimise downtime and prolong vehicle lifespan.

What are the benefits of a well-maintained fleet?

Reduced downtime and lost revenue

A poorly-maintained vehicle is at risk of breakdown or unplanned downtime, which will have knock-on effects to your operational efficiency and revenue.

Increased driver satisfaction and safety

Drivers may spend much of their working day operating fleet vehicles. If they’re not well looked after, they could become uncomfortable, unpleasant to drive, or even dangerous.

Increased vehicle performance and lifespan

Well-maintained vehicles will perform better and last longer, reducing your costs on fuel, repairs, breakdowns and replacements.

Compliance with legal requirements

If your employees use vehicles for work, you have a legal responsibility to ensure those vehicles are serviced and maintained regularly and driven appropriately to ensure driver and public safety. You also have a duty of care to your employees who drive their own vehicles for work purposes. Ensuring those vehicles are safe, legally compliant and your drivers have the licence to operate them is essential. Failure to do so could lead to reputation

Where to start with fleet maintenance

Vehicle servicing

You must make sure your vehicles are roadworthy at all times, both for driver safety and because it’s legally required. So, it’s important to schedule routine services well in advance. Otherwise, you risk invalidating the warranty and be left with a vehicle that’s not fit for use.

Glass management

Windscreens make up 30% of a vehicle’s structural strength, so even the smallest crack could turn into a major issue if not dealt with quickly.

Tyre management

It’s important your drivers check their vehicle's tyres for wear and tear or damage regularly. If they're damaged or the tread has worn down to 2mm, it’s important to get new ones sorted quickly.

Roadside assistance

Even a vehicle seemingly in perfect condition can have an unexpected fault. When that happens, it’s useful to have a roadside assistance provider who can quickly deal with the problem and get your employees or goods moving again.

Accidents and insurance

If the worst happens, you need to be prepared and have a clear process for your drivers and you to ensure any necessary repairs and insurance claims are managed efficiently and swiftly.

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