Because breakdowns, accidents and costly call-outs are inevitable, regular car servicing remains essential to your fleet vehicles. Here are some essentials for you and your drivers to keep in mind for preventative maintenance of your fleet vehicle.
Why Is Regular Fleet Vehicle Inspection Important?
For businesses who depend on their fleet vehicles for revenues, even just one unit off the road caused by an accident can be very problematic. It can threaten your ability as a business to fulfil your client's needs and expectations. This can affect productivity and cause delivery delays.
Driving a vehicle that is also not kept up can make you liable for collisions and risk the safety of your drivers and others on the road.
Regularly inspecting your fleet of cars will flush out minor issues before they become big ones, and it can also help you reduce overall costs and lower your fleet insurance rate.
What Happens during a Fleet Vehicle Inspection?
Your legal responsibility as a fleet operator is to keep your vehicles in a roadworthy state, especially when used.
While it may sound like a bunch of daily upkeep, these are actually just a few quick checks before you or your driver sets off, ideally before the sun rises in the morning.
Before you hit the road, check the inside and outside of your vehicle to ensure everything is operating correctly and in good working order. This means ensuring your lights, hazard lights and brake lights are all working.
Also, inspect your tyres (pressure and tread) for wear and tear. Also, ensure that your vehicle's engine oil and other fluids have been topped up to the required levels.
Here's a short checklist you need to follow in inspecting your fleet vehicle each morning:
1. Inspect Your Tyres
Regularly inspect the treads and sidewalls as well as the tire pressure. If you see massive cuts in the rubber or any tears, or if any cords are visible, you should replace the tire immediately. In addition, inspect your wheel nuts to ensure that they are securely fastened.
2. Test All Sources of Lights
Here's how to perform a self-check for any issues with your vehicle's lights. You'll need another driver to help you complete the check. Try each of your lights (headlights, parking lights, signals and brake lights) to ensure that everything is working as it should be. Indicators should also work properly.
3. Test Horn, Wipers and Seatbelt
Get inside the vehicle for a moment to check if your horn still works, your seat belt works and that your windshield wipers work (including the wiper spray option). Top up the wiper fluid if it's empty or running low.
4. Check the Exterior for Any Damage
Have a quick search through the vehicle to ensure that the bodywork is undamaged and that there are no dents or scrapes, such as a chipped light or broken wing mirror. If you notice any damage that wasn't present the previous day, inform your fleet manager so they can make a note of it.
Conclusion
Inspecting your fleet vehicles can deliver several cost- and safety-related benefits, from preventing accidents to staying within the law. However, daily physical inspections are also essential to locating and fixing problems before they worsen and can save on maintenance costs.
Looking for trusted and secured automotive support? With over 20 years of experience, Secure Group has provided complete comprehensive checks and additional automotive support services like valeting, driving, inspection and more. Get in touch with us today!