10-minute wear and tear check-ups can save £1,000s

Fleet managers could save thousands of pounds per year by taking 10 minutes to check the external condition of leased vehicles before they are due to be returned, according to Revive.

The cosmetic vehicle repair specialist advises developing an internal lease return inspection protocol.

This should involve inspecting bumpers, alloys and paintwork for scuffs, bumps and scratches a few weeks before the official end of lease inspection is due.

According to industry figures, 27% of returned vehicles incur a fair wear and tear recharge.

This is generally because damage has been left untouched or not repaired to a high enough standard.

Large fleets could quickly realise significant savings by checking vehicles and organising appropriate repairs themselves through accredited SMART repairers or bodyshops.

Revive advises fleet managers to follow these five ‘10-minute check-up’ tips:

1. Ensure the vehicle is clean and dry: dirt and wet can mask scratches and scuffs.
2. Choose a well-lit location.
3. Start at one corner – such as the driver’s side headlight – and walk slowly around the vehicle examining each panel, as well as the roof, doors and bonnet.
4. Crouch down to check the vehicle along its length, on each side.
5. Pay special attention to wheels and bumpers – these are prime areas for scuffs and scrapes.

Mark Llewellyn (pictured) , managing director of Revive, said that as a rule of thumb, minor damage smaller than an A4 piece of paper can be repaired to a high standard by a SMART repairer.

Larger areas of damage require attention in a bodyshop.

 Both options are more cost-effective than simply accepting the wear and tear recharge.

“Wear and tear recharges have really escalated over the past three years,” he said. “Anecdotally, we have heard of many cases where a firm has been billed around £900 for repairs that would have cost a fraction of that with an accredited SMART repair technician. By taking a planned approach and making time to inspect vehicles internally, businesses could save a lot of money.”