KWIK-FIT is to launch a major drive into the fleet market this year by offering service and MoTs to fleet car and van operators nationwide.

This would make it one of the biggest fleet servicing networks in the country.

The move is part of a major expansion of its traditional tyres and exhausts service to a much wider one for fleet operators that would normally be provided through the dealer market.

Servicing and MoTs were rolled out to fleets from an initial retail base on a trial basis last year and during 2007 more centres will be equipped to handle the work.

Although servicing has already been offered to retail customers, meeting the demands of fleet operators – and especially leasing and rental firms – is a much more difficult task.

As a result, the company has tested the service thoroughly before making it widely available to the fleet market.

Around 250 of Kwik-Fit’s nationwide network of 670 centres are now equipped to undertake interim and full services on all-makes of vehicles, which is expected to rise to 300 by the end of this year, and 250 centres are capable of undertaking MoTs.

Kwik-Fit Fleet sales director Mike Wise said: ‘An increasing number of fleets are recognising the opportunity for potential operating savings by putting their cars and light vans into fast-fits for service, maintenance and repair work as well as MoTs.

‘A faster service than dealerships can offer reduces downtime and overall costs and customers also benefit from transparent pricing.

‘Time is money. We can offer MoT and service within typically four days of booking rather than the 14 days of most franchised dealers, which makes our expansion into this sector very attractive to fleet operators and drivers.’