Seat is taking action to reduce SMR costs for fleet operators by adding a variable servicing option to its whole range by the end of the year.

It is also working to ensure its dealers and authorised repairers are more competitive.

Seat head of fleet and business sales Nick Andrews told a meeting of leasing company representatives: “We know our SMR costs are not as competitive as some of our rivals’, but towards the end of this year the whole Seat range will be available with variable servicing. This will reduce SMR costs.”

The company is also looking at improving the competitiveness of its dealer network and authorised repairers on pricing. Some fleet operators now use independents and fast-fits for servicing and MoT requirements, especially following an increase in contract extensions during the recession.

“Independent dealers and fast-fits are a threat to us and we’re proposing to develop jointly and introduce a service level agreement with our network to provide reliable and consistent standards across the UK,” said Nigel Griggs, head of aftersales at Seat.

“We need to start to work as a network to develop clear and attractive pricing. I won’t claim that we will be the cheapest compared with independents, but we will be competitive.”