A well-maintained vehicle fleet not only ensures customer confidence, but also driver safety. Finally, careful and well-planned maintenance saves time and money in the long run. We will show you what you need to pay attention to as a fleet manager when it comes to vehicle maintenance.
Regular fleet maintenance
Gradual wear and tear cannot be avoided if many kilometers are driven every day - and careful maintenance of the vehicle fleet is one of the most important tasks of a fleet manager. Unfortunately, it contains the potential for errors. The larger the company car fleet, the greater the risk of forgetting small faults and missing important appointments. This is why it is often not only easier, but also cost-effective, to use a computer-aided fleet management system instead of your own tables to plan maintenance and servicing. This does the work of memory and ensures transparency. For example, when using a program with a cloud, mileage no longer needs to be regularly queried from drivers. They are either updated by the drivers themselves or transmitted completely automatically. Small companies with a proportionately smaller vehicle fleet use tables in which each vehicle is entered with the most important key data, and important dates for regular checks and workshop visits are stored there. The more thoroughly the data is maintained, the fewer problems there are when settling claims with insurance companies or manufacturer warranties.
Mandatory vehicle maintenance
if necessary, but at least once a year, an expert must check the vehicles used in the company with regard to occupational and road safety. The results of this investigation must be documented in writing so that you can prove to insurance companies or manufacturers that everything was properly organized and carried out. If they are not the ones to take the test themselves, fleet agents must set the dates. It is best to plan ahead so that inspection and maintenance appointments do not interfere with the driver's workflow as much as possible and can be handled during a visit to the workshop anyway. If these dates are in spring or autumn, the tire change can also be carried out. Depending on the volume of the order, additional services can be organized with the workshop at a lower cost: for example, a collection and delivery service for company vehicles from employees in the office or the provision of a replacement vehicle for employees in the field.
Above all, it is important to carry out maintenance work continuously and on time. Otherwise, there will be considerable additional costs due to a lack of guarantees, insurance coverage may expire and leasing companies may make additional claims. Regardless of the fact that only a well-maintained vehicle is a safe tool.
