FLEET chiefs could find tyres become the largest part of their maintenance budget unless they get tough on costs.

As longer service intervals on vehicles reduce other fixed costs, tyres are fast becoming one of the most expensive components during a fleet car's life, particularly with growth in demand for low-profile and sports tyres, according to fast-fit firm Tyreserve.

David Goodyear, managing director of the firm, says that fleet decision-makers could save their companies hundreds of pounds by pushing for 'more demanding' tyre deals that include additional services.

Goodyear said: 'Large fleets and leasing companies are aware that factors such as longer service intervals and the specifying of more expensive tyres mean that rubber could soon be the single biggest SMR cost they face over the life of a car. They are looking in depth much more at their tyre deals and not just at price, but at service levels as well.'

The news marks the latest in a series of warnings to fleets on the impact tyre costs can have on their budgets. A report published by SmartTire Europe showed that 17 per cent of a fleet's servicing, maintenance and repair budget was spent on tyres, indicating the extent of the increase expected by TyreServe.

Replacing tyres costs fleets an estimated £250 million a year, but despite this. SmartTire discovered that nearly a third of fleets questioned could not state how much they spent on rubber.