Fleet managers are struggling to get their drivers to adhere to service intervals, putting warranties at risk and leaving potential problems unchecked.

This is despite many newer vehicles giving the driver an electronic reminder and some lease providers prompting fleets of an impending check.

“Lease companies are very helpful when providing fleet data,” said Ivan Tindall, transport manager at KPSS (UK) Ltd. “But all you can do is inform the drivers that their vehicle is due for service. Whether they act on your advice is another matter.”

Gerry Purnell, fleet administrator at First in Service, added: “I have to continually badger them to the point of booking the service myself.”

It’s a major headache for the industry, with almost three in every four (71%) fleet managers saying it’s a problem, according to a Fleet News poll.

However, Graham Short, fleet manager at Indesit, told fellow fleet professionals at a recent East Anglia ACFO meeting that while his approach was “old fashioned” it resolved the problem.

“I send out an email every six months simply asking for the current mileage of the vehicle and the mileage on the day it was last serviced,” explained Short. “It’s long-winded, but it works.”

Telematics can provide fleets with the ability to monitor mileages, but it would require investment if not already employed.

However, Steve Garnham, fleet manager at Breheny in Huntingdon, used a ‘three strikes and you’re out’ approach, requiring drivers to input their current mileage when refuelling from their on-site supply.

“If they haven’t adhered to the request after three warnings, then they can’t get any fuel,” said Garnham.

It’s an approach which could be used on the forecourt too, according to Steve Clarke, general manager at The Fuel Card People.

“Our customers have the ability to put a temporary stop on a card 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” said Clarke.

“With customers also able to monitor driver mileages it provides them with a solution and the more we can do to help our customers the better.”