Venson warns fleets not to buy tyres online

Venson Automotive Solutions is urging fleet managers to be aware of hidden costs when buying cheap tyres online.

It says fleets need to factor in many additional costs over and above the online tyre price, including tyre fitting, balancing, disposal costs and the potential of costly downtime, as online purchases often have a fitment lead time of several days.

Lee O’Neill, head of operations at Venson Automotive Solutions , said: “If something looks too good to be true then it probably is.  Working with fleets daily, we understand the pressure businesses are under to keep operating costs under control. 

“Ultimately, fleet managers, company car and van drivers need to keep downtime to a minimum while optimising convenience and attracting the best possible credit terms, which can make a big difference for any fleet.” 

Venson says that 40% of the tyres across its leased and managed vehicles need to be relaced early due to damage and the cost to a business is as much as £800, in terms of lost work for each day a van is off the road.

It recommends that fleet managers use a tyre replacement service that can be called upon when replacement tyres are needed.  For its own clients, it encourages every driver to ‘phone Venson first’ in order that it can offer every driver a free-of-charge mobile tyre fitting service. Should a driver prefer to visit a tyre depot, the stock is checked in advance - particularly important where a policy dictates a brand preference - to ensure that the required tyres are available when the driver visits, helping to ensure first-time fitment.

“Of course, online tyre operators have their place, but for many employees their company vehicle is not only their means of transport, but also their office or workshop and mobile advertising hoarding, and they can’t afford to be off the road.  So, anyone considering buying replacement tyres online should always ask themselves, are they are saving a few pounds on a replacement tyre, or potentially costing their business a fortune in time spent off the road,” O’Neill added.