FleetCheck launches six-point plan for van replacement cycle extensions

FleetCheck has launched new guidance in response to an increasing number of van fleets that are extending their vehicle replacement cycles.

Barrie Willson, commercial fleet consultant at the fleet software specialist, said the trend is being driven by the fact that fleets have learnt, post-Covid, that modern vans can be operated economically and safely for longer periods of time than previously thought.

Willson says: “This means three to five year replacement cycles are being stretched by a couple of years or more.

“The other more recent trend is that some fleets are finding the drive towards electric vans impractical for reasons of range, payload and charging infrastructure, so are actively planning to hang onto their diesel vans for longer.”

The FleetCheck six-point plan says:

• Adhere to manufacturer servicing recommendations
• Ensure vehicles undergo a full technician inspection at least once a year, especially if they have a 24-month service interval
• Action any vehicle recall notices promptly
• Create a policy for pre-use checks and defect management, ensuring drivers have been trained effectively and that compliance is monitored
• Regularly review your driving for work policy to ensure drivers understand their responsibilities
• Analyse maintenance spend by vehicle and driver, and act on those trends

Barrie says: “Really, it’s a question of fleets recognising that the maintenance regime they have used for shorter replacement cycles needs a serious upgrade if they are going to keep vehicles for longer.

“Operators who didn’t previously need to worry about a timing belt change at 100,000 miles, for example, will now need to do so.

“It should be factored into SMR schedules and some will now need to change the belt twice before eventually defleeting that vehicle.

“Manufacturer recalls, common for brakes, fuel systems, airbags and more, will become more problematic if ignored, while MoT advisory notes will be more common as vehicles age and should be taken seriously rather than treated as advice that can be deferred. Failure to fix these issues promptly will store up problems for the future.”

Pre-use vehicle check policy review

Barrie says that a strong pre-use vehicle check policy would help ensure that small problems were identified before they become bigger.

He explains: “Pre-use checks are the first line of defense against developing problems. Underinflated tyres can burn additional fuel and handle dangerously, and oil leaks become wrecked engines. Checks are a vital part of keeping older, high-mileage vehicles on the road.”

Specialist software could play a vital part in applying these six points to fleets, Barrie adds.

“For most operators, fleet management software is the best way to manage extended replacement cycles. For example, our systems automatically flag up manufacturer recalls from the DVLA web site and also provides work-related road risk policy templates.

“Monitoring and analysis of maintenance and repairs for older vehicles through software is an essential part of keeping them on the road as well as implementing the policy enhancements needed to make sure drivers are safe and vehicles efficient.

“Finally, establishing the optimum time for each van to be defleeted is important and accurate maintenance records are needed to calculate the whole life costs on which these decisions are based.”