Brake replacement is most common fleet SMR job, says Epyx

Replacement brake pads and discs are the most common reason UK fleet vehicles enter workshops, according to analysis by Epyx.

Data from the company’s 1link Service Network shows than 16.3% of SMR jobs carried out between September 2019 and August 2020 were replacement discs and pads.

Debbie Fox, commercial director at Epyx, said: “In our view, it makes fascinating reading. Fundamentally, it shows the SMR tasks that UK fleets of all kinds deal with on a real world, day-to-day basis. They are not an indication of cost – that would be a much more complex subject – but they show why vehicles enter workshops, which has a definite value for fleet managers.

“For example, if you were running a major fleet and looked at this table, you could potentially conclude that encouraging drivers to adopt driving styles that produced less wear and tear on brakes and pads would be a worthwhile management objective, and look at ways to work towards this aim.”

The table is based on information from fleets totalling four million cars, vans and trucks using nearly 9,000 franchise dealers, independent garages and fast-fits.

Brakes discs and pads are by far the most common job, but windscreen wiper blades (5.6%), pollen filters (4.4%), fuel filters (2.2%) and batteries (2.0%) complete the top five.

The 1link Service Network helps fleets to ensure that these jobs were carried out as they become necessary, but only when necessary.

“On one hand, the platform makes the processing of jobs much easier but it also acts as a control tool to ensure that SMR is carried out in line with fleet policies. For example, returning to the subject of brakes and pads, instructions are provided to replace at the wear level that the fleet specifies and this is evidenced by workshops retaining parts for inspection.

“Our account management team works very closely with customers to look at the way in which these policies are enforced and how they can be improved. For very large fleets, fractional gains can mean very worthwhile savings and there are always new ideas emerging, even in areas of SMR that are very well-established and well-understood.”

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