Service, Maintenance & Repair
Service, maintenance and repair (SMR) costs are one of the key influencers in compiling total cost of ownership figures, which is the key barometer for vehicle selection.
It therefore makes sense to minimise annual SMR spend by selecting the most cost-effective vehicles for fleet operation.
Additionally, fleet managers must decide where they are going to have their vehicles serviced and repaired – franchised dealers, a local independent garage or a fast-fit. The choice is plentiful and the competition intense.
Fleet News provides insight and guidance on this critical factor of wholife costs.
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Aftersales charters: Service guaranteed?
Many manufacturers make a number of aftersales promises through fleet charters. But what do they cover? Christopher Smith reports
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Be clear over windscreen sensor recalibration
The growth in advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) means fleet managers should review their glass policies. Ben Rooth reports
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Franchise or independent: The great SMR debate
Fleet managers can use franchised main dealers or independent garages when it comes to service, maintenance and repairs. But should they choose between them or opt for both?
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Save up to 70% on the price of new by reusing parts
The three Rs of good environmental practice are bringing huge cost cuts when it comes to fitting recycled and remanufactured parts. Jonathan Manning reports
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Windscreens: Technology provides a vision of the future
New developments are shaping the way windscreens are both used and repaired. Sarah Tooze reports on the latest advances
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Service plans: how they can save fleets money
More than three-quarters (77%) of fleets would like to see all manufacturers offer pre-paid service plans, according to a Fleet News poll.
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SMR: Equipping dealers to service EVs
How manufacturers are making sure cars with electric power stay on the roads.
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Pay-as-you-go approach reduces Archant’s maintenance bill
Archant has saved an estimated 15-20% on its maintenance costs by switching from contract hire with maintenance to pay-as-you-go.
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Fixed maintenance brings budgeting certainty for NHSBT
Larry Bannon, national fleet service manager at NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) explains why he outsources maintenance at a fixed cost and why his maintenance bill is lower now than nearly a decade ago.
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Recycled parts save police fleets £1m
Police lead the way in reducing SMR bills by using parts removed from vehicle write-offs. Sarah Tooze looks at how it works and why more fleets are signing up.
- MOT test centres will remain open during ‘Lockdown 3’
- MOT demand expected to reach all-time high this Christmas
- Used parts save South Wales Police £45k per year
- One in seven fleet cars and vans 'now electrified'
- MOT backlog latest as sites remain open during lockdown
- Crash repair market contracts by more than a quarter
- Car size increase creates parking bay squeeze for drivers
- Fleets keeping vehicles longer a ‘minor’ factor in increased SMR costs
- Surge in MOTs despite test centres staying open