EXPERTS claim that using a mobile tyre fitting service can save a 500-vehicle strong fleet up to £20,000 a year.

Estimates suggest that the average hourly cost of employment to a company for a fleet driver is £28.50 and that the average fleet car has 1.4 tyres replaced every year. On average, a visit to a fast-fit centre to have a tyre change lasts 90 minutes, it is claimed. For a fleet of 500 vehicles, this would cost employers almost £20,000.

AA Tyre Fitting general manager David Goodyear said: 'Every hour that a driver spends in a fast fit centre waiting for tyres to be fitted is an hour wasted at the expense of his or her employer.

'Over a large fleet, that wasted time mounts up and the figures that we have compiled show it to be considerable cost. But it's a cost that can be saved through mobile fitting. Most tyre replacement can be done by mobile fitters while a driver continues to be productive working in their office, or even relaxing at home during the evening,' he added.

AA Tyre Fitting launched a new mobile service in September last year with 50 units. It expects that number to grow to 270 by the end of this year. Tyreserve, which the AA acquired last year, manages the mobile service.