Keeping vehicles safe and roadworthy has always come at a cost, but recent stories suggest those costs could be heading in one direction.
The Independent Garage Association is calling for the maximum Class 4 MOT fee to rise to £95, arguing that the current fee has not changed since 2010 despite significant increases in labour, energy, equipment and compliance costs.
At the same time, new analysis of almost 2,500 HGV warranty claims shows how the profile of vehicle repairs is changing too.
NOx sensors alone accounted for 14.1% of authorised claims, while AdBlue pumps, engine ECUs and EGR valves also featured prominently.
The average HGV warranty repair now stands at £1,558.50, with the most expensive individual claim reaching £15,000.
CLICK HERE to read more about the changing cost of fleet maintenance
For fleet operators, the interesting point is that it isn’t always one major failure that creates the biggest problem and it all adds up to put pressure on fleets.
Repeated smaller faults can quickly add up, while also increasing workshop visits, reducing vehicle availability and putting additional pressure on maintenance budgets.
And if MOT costs rise too, the overall cost of keeping vehicles compliant and on the road could become an even bigger consideration.
So, is your fleet maintenance strategy giving you enough visibility to spot recurring issues early and reduce avoidable downtime?
At Driving Monitor, Fleet Monitor helps operators keep a closer eye on vehicle compliance, maintenance and fleet risk.
