Inflationary pressures are driving up the cost of labour, parts and materials, making service, maintenance and repair (SMR) more expensive for fleets, according to ATS Euromaster.
Coming at a time when fleet budgets are already under pressure, it says it has already seen the impact of this, as fleets squeeze maintenance programmes.
“Across the market fleets are not spending on SMR to the same level,” said Mark Holland, operations director at ATS Euromaster. “Everyone seems to be tightening their belts with brakes given lower change rates, for example.
“Brakes are as important as the contact points on the road, but the visibility of such safety items, unlike worn tyres, is not immediately obvious. So, then it comes down to timing and how fleet managers can ensure drivers in their vehicles are safe.
“If you’re running a tighter SMR schedule, how do you know everything is safe? It’s a significant question for fleet managers.”
Tyre choice downgraded to meet SMR budget
Another sign that SMR budgets are being squeezed for 2025 is the de-tiering in tyre brand policy for some businesses, says ATS Euromaster.
Budget tyres will help ease pressures on SMR budgets in the short term but may not provide the same level of in-life longevity and require changing more often.
“Again, we would urge fleet managers to ensure they have a firm grip on their fleet’s general maintenance if tyres are being run for longer or budget tyres are on the agenda, then make sure they are appropriate,” continued to Holland.
“Sacrificing safety for a reduced SMR spend is a no-go zone.”
Be proactive in your fleet inspection programme
ATS Euromaster advises fleet managers to be proactive in their approach to fleet inspections and management to minimise costly repairs.
It suggests working with SMR providers much closer to satisfy demands and ensure you can secure the slots for maintenance work as required.
Also, a beneficial approach would be to use telematics and data analytics to predict potential failures and schedule maintenance proactively, reducing downtime and unexpected costs - particularly where SMR items are being pushed to the limit.