For Leicestershire businesses that rely on trucks to deliver goods to customers, vehicle downtime is a massive inconvenience. It’s a potential profit killer.
Whether you run a fleet or just a few vehicles, the cost of having a truck off the road can quickly escalate, impacting your bottom line and your reputation.
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The real cost of vehicle downtime
With a truck break down, or when they’re out of action, the immediate costs are obvious: repair bills and replacement parts. However, the ripple effects can be even more damaging:
- Lost revenue
Each hour a truck is out of commission is an hour you’re not delivering goods to your customers. This can lead to late deliveries, contract penalties, and dissatisfied clients.
- Customer relationships
Reliability is key. Consistent delays can erode trust and send your customers looking elsewhere.
- Operational disruption
You may have to reshuffle deliveries, overburden other vehicles, or hire temporary replacements, all of which increase costs and reduce efficiency.
- Labour costs
Drivers and staff may be left idle, waiting for a vehicle to be repaired, while still incurring wages.
The average cost of truck break downs and vehicle downtime can reach thousands of pounds per day, depending on the size of your fleet and the nature of your business. Over a year, even minor breakdowns can add up to tens of thousands in lost revenue and additional expenses.
Why proactive maintenance is essential
With the growing demand for fleet maintenance, truck maintenance and a slowdown in the supply of new parts, getting your vehicle repaired on short notice is no longer a given. Workshops are often booked weeks in advance, making it crucial to adopt a proactive approach.
Our Leicestershire-based Premier Fleet Services arm delivers the following, and here’s why they’re important.
- Streamlined maintenance schedules: Regular servicing and preventive checks can help identify potential issues before they escalate into costly breakdowns.
- Vehicle MOTs: Staying ahead of your MOT schedule ensures compliance and reduces the risk of unexpected failures that can take your truck off the road.
- Truck washes: Clean vehicles aren’t just about appearances; regular washes help prevent corrosion and ensure the longevity of critical components.
Keeping your fleet moving
Minimising truck break down and vehicle downtime saves money, yes. But it also maintains a smooth, reliable operation. Here’s how your business can stay ahead in this sense:
- Partner with reliable workshops: Establish relationships with trusted maintenance providers to secure priority service slots.
- Invest in quality parts: Cheaper isn’t always better. High-quality parts last longer and are less likely to fail prematurely.
- Train your team: Drivers should be trained to conduct basic daily checks, such as inspecting tyres, brakes, and fluid levels, to catch potential issues early.
- Plan ahead: Schedule regular maintenance during quieter periods to avoid disruptions during peak times.
Conclusion
For logistics businesses in Leicestershire, truck break downs and vehicle downtime is a challenge that requires active management.
Invest in preventive maintenance, prioritise regular servicing, and stay on top of MOTs to reduce the risk of breakdowns and keep your trucks where they belong: on the road, delivering for your customers.
Don’t wait until a breakdown disrupts your operations. Take steps to protect your fleet and your business from the costly impact of vehicle downtime.