Essential Fleet Maintenance Checklist

Keeping Your Vehicles in Top Condition

At Ferdotti, we understand that maintaining a fleet of vehicles is no small task. Whether you manage a small group of vans or a large fleet of commercial vehicles, keeping everything running smoothly is crucial for ensuring safety, reducing downtime, and avoiding costly repairs. A well-organised fleet maintenance plan is key to achieving this.

Here are some of the services we can provide to help keep your fleet vehicles in peak condition:

1. PMI Inspections

Regular Planned Maintenance Inspections (PMIs) are at the heart of a good fleet maintenance programme. These inspections are essential for identifying potential issues before they turn into costly repairs or safety concerns.

• Why PMIs Matter: A PMI ensures that your vehicles are inspected at regular intervals, with checks on vital systems such as the engine, transmission, brakes, lights, tyres, and safety features.
  
• Frequency: Depending on your fleet’s size, type, and usage, PMIs should be scheduled regularly, we can look at your requirements and schedule them into our workshops as needed.
  

2. General Servicing and Repairs

Routine fleet vehicle servicing is necessary to keep your fleet in optimal working condition. It involves checking vehicle components to ensure they are functioning properly and addressing any issues that arise.

• Servicing: Regular oil changes are vital to prevent engine failures. We can support you with how regularly you need these according to your vehicles and usage.
  
• Repairs: General servicing will often identify issues that require repair, such as worn-out brake pads, damaged belts, or faulty electrical components. Immediate repairs can prevent these issues from escalating into bigger, more expensive problems.

3. Brake Roller Testing

Brake performance is a critical aspect of vehicle safety, and roller brake testing is an essential part of fleet maintenance. This test assesses how well your vehicle’s brakes are functioning under various conditions, helping to prevent brake-related accidents and ensuring legal compliance.

• Frequency: Roller brake testing should be done regularly, especially for heavy-duty vehicles or those used in high-demand conditions. In addition to the annual inspection, these tests should be scheduled at least every 12 months.
  
  
• Importance: Proper fleet vehicle brake maintenance ensures the safety of your drivers and other road users, preventing costly brake-related failures and ensuring that your fleet is roadworthy.
  
  

4. MOT Preparation

An MOT (Ministry of Transport) test is a legal requirement for all vehicles over three years old in the UK. Preparing your vehicles for their MOT is an essential part of fleet maintenance.

• MOT Readiness: Before booking your vehicle for an MOT test, ensure it’s fully prepared by checking key areas such as lights, brakes, tyres, exhaust system, and emissions. A failed MOT can lead to costly repairs and fines, so it’s important to keep everything in top shape.
  
  
• Pre-MOT Checks: Performing a pre-MOT inspection is a great way to identify potential issues that could cause a failure. This proactive approach helps you avoid delays and unexpected downtime.

Addressing Issues Immediately

It’s important to address any issues that arise during inspections or while the vehicle is in operation. Ignoring minor problems can lead to costly repairs down the line or, worse, an unexpected breakdown that causes downtime.

Fleet Maintenance from Ferdotti

Fleet maintenance is an ongoing task that requires regular attention to ensure your vehicles remain safe, reliable, and efficient. With a well-established checklist and a proper maintenance schedule in place, you can reduce downtime, improve safety, and extend the lifespan of your fleet.

At Ferdotti, we offer expert fleet maintenance services to help you keep your vehicles in top condition. From PMIs and brake tests to tacho inspections and MOTs, we’re here to ensure your fleet operates at its best. Get in touch today to learn more about how we can support your fleet’s needs.