“The three measures are a good improvement but tyre-decision making is a much wider view,” he says.

There is also a tendency to replace ‘like-for-like’. Robb recommends that fleet operators stick with the tyre that is originally fitted as it will have been through significantly more testing – up to 100 tests – rather than just three, and factors such as wet handling will have been taken into account.

“OE will be the best all-round performance,” he says. “If you move off spec from what tyres the vehicle came with, it won’t perform at its optimum.”

Savings at de-fleet

Whether a like-for-like approach should be taken throughout the lifecycle of the vehicle is open to debate.
There are different views about what tyres to fit if the vehicle is due to come off fleet.

Kwik-Fit Fleet suggests tyre labelling could help fleets operators to save money by opting for cheaper tyres as the vehicle moves closer to de-fleet.

Lambert says: “Fleet operators may opt for a cheaper mid-range tyre that performs well according to labelling criteria, fits their purpose and in terms of longevity will outlast the vehicle’s fleet life.”

Peter Fairlie, group sales director of ATS Euromaster, agrees: “For privately-funded fleets with free reign over tyre choice, we expect the more financially astute businesses to follow a trend we’ve seen adopted by haulage companies.

“If a car or van needs new tyres as it nears its planned de-fleet date, managers may be more inclined to specify a budget fitment – particularly if the label ratings are not that dissimilar to their regular tyre of choice.”

Connor says that this is “an option” for fleet operators.

“I can see why some people would take this approach,” he says. “You have to weigh up the value from the tyre versus the cost. If you only have 5,000 miles left to run on a vehicle, why buy the most expensive tyre if there is something reasonably priced with the same label qualities? It’s a sensible commercial decision.”

However, leasing companies tend to favour premium tyres, even at de-fleet time.

“Being consistent is important,” says Stuart Walker, ancillary sales and strategic marketing director at LeasePlan. “If a vehicle started on premium rated tyres, it should stay on premium.

“It’s part of what a used buyer will take into account. We wouldn’t switch to a cheaper tyre.”