Employers must take a proactive role in educating 'grey-fleet' drivers about essential vehicle maintenance, says fleet management specialist, Venson Automotive Solutions.
A grey fleet driver is an employee who uses their own vehicle for business purposes. However, despite using their own vehicles, grey fleet drivers are still subject to the same duty-of-care requirements that company-owned vehicle drivers experience. Venson warns that many drivers are neglecting crucial service, maintenance, and repair (SMR) checks, jeopardising vehicle safety and putting other road users at risk.
A recent survey revealed that over 20% of motorists fail to carry out key safety inspections, such as checking tyre tread depth and oil levels, instead relying solely on their annual MOT or service.
Battery health was the most overlooked aspect of maintenance , with just 27% of drivers checking for battery-charge health, corrosion, leaks or loose connections.
Next on the list were coolant and antifreeze levels, with only 51% of drivers feeling confident enough to check them.
Drivers were more diligent when it came to checking windscreen wipers (64%), washer fluid levels (70%), clean headlamps (67%) and ensuring number plates were visible (81%).
These results highlight a clear gap in awareness and understanding of different aspects of vehicle maintenance.
Lee O’Neill, operations director at Venson, emphasised that employers who enforce SMR policies and train drivers to conduct regular checks can significantly reduce risk and improve vehicle reliability, enhancing both safety and productivity.
Firms could be liable for damages if accidents occur involving poorly-maintained grey-fleet vehicles undertaking work-related journeys