SMR - Page 10

Head of Fleet Assist, Vincent St Claire, says higher bills are more about ‘sample of vehicles having work done’.

MOT and service centres were inundated with bookings before new coronavirus lockdown restrictions came into force, despite being allowed to remain open.

Replacement brake pads and discs are the most common reason UK fleet vehicles enter workshops, according to analysis by epyx.

Extra drivers and vehicles needed to cope with increased volumes

Forty-one per cent of fleets are experiencing issues booking service, maintenance and repair (SMR) work or MOTs, despite dealerships re-opening in June.

Thousands of company cars and vans had their contracts extended during the coronavirus crisis, according to new data from Epyx.

Fleets extending replacement cycles in the wake of the coronavirus crisis need to consider additional service, maintenance and repair (SMR) costs, says Epyx.

Fleet Assist has announced that more than 80% of its garage network is now capable of working on hybrid and electric vehicles.

Customers want to avoid coronavirus creating a bottleneck of both MOT testing and general maintenance work, says Epyx.

News briefs from across the fleet industry, including how SMR is a key consideration for fleets going forward and drink driving warning during the holiday season.

Fleet Assist has secured a contract win from Tusker to provide its garage network and service bookings facility.

Thatcham Research has released a set of Insurance Industry Requirements (IIR) that will ensure the safe repair of ADAS-equipped vehicles.

Analysis of the latest Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) data by BookMyGarage, showed that 1 in 10 cars on the road could be classified as having ‘dangerous defects’.

Ryder is expanding its Mobile Maintenance Services business and creating new local employment opportunities in Lichfield, Staffordshire.

Service, maintenance and repair (SMR) for fleets is coming under pressure on three fronts, according to Epyx.

Hundreds of thousands of vehicles due to be tested this summer could end up causing a backlog, the RAC has warned.

The Government has announced that mandatory MOT tests for cars, motorcycles and vans in England, Scotland and Wales will be restarted from August 1.

Ford has increased its fleet of Mobile Service vans by a third to support fleet operators in the growing home delivery sector.

Half of drivers plan on getting their car serviced and MOT’d as normal, despite Coronavirus.

But Epyx warns fleets to ‘take care' as evidence emerges of "serious" component failures, alongside flat tyres and batteries, after vehicles have stood idle.

Sanitisation costs for cars and vans returning from garages are beginning to appear on cost sheets, says Epyx.

Fleet Assist says that almost half of its UK servicing outlets have remained open during the lockdown to keep key worker fleets on the road.

Kia dealerships will be re-opening workshops to carry out servicing, repairs and MOTs, after closing facilities at the start of the coronavirus lockdown.

Kwik Fit also reports that the number of fleet vehicles, such as company cars, requiring new batteries rose by around 10% compared to the same period last year.

FleetCheck says there is a “strong argument” for fleets to continue car and van MOT tests to ensure safety.

Almost three-quarters (72.6%) of respondents to a Fleet News survey say less than 10% of their company cars are being driven for work.

Fleets urged to be more cautious of vehicle roadworthiness as the coronavirus lockdown means some key maintenance and inspections will be deferred.

The UK vehicle leasing company is working to support a number of key businesses, including some of the UK’s largest pharmaceutical and medical supply companies.

FleetCheck and Driving for Better Business have released a new series of video guides called the COVID-19 Transport Toolkit.

Fleets should not overlook the SMR advantages mobile mechanics can offer during the coronavirus pandemic, says Epyx.

Fleet operators and company car drivers can access emergency vehicle repair and maintenance services as some garages and workshops remain open during the Coronavirus lockdown.

Company car and van drivers are being urged to step up maintenance checks as the fleet industry adapts to life under lockdown.

Nissan dealer, Chorley Group, ‘wants to thank NHS staff and care workers’ by halving the cost of car repairs and servicing.

The average bill for each of those motorists affected over the last year was £115, covering repairs to components such as tyres, suspension and wheels.

Workshops need to accelerate training so SMR staff are capable of working safely and swiftly.

By Steve Nash, CEO of the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI)

RS Connect has set up a training initiative to address safety and a lack of skills among engineers in the hybrid and electric vehicles sector.

UK smart repair network Revive has completed its largest resale to date, with its Luton franchise changing hands for a record sum.

ARI is continuing to expand its Masterserve garage repair network in the United Kingdom, with 76 garages added during 2019.

The RAC saw a 20% upturn in pothole-related breakdowns in the last quarter of 2019, compared to the same period the year before.