Fleets are being warned to be extra vigilant about the condition and legality of private vehicles being driven for work – the so-called grey fleet – given the cost-of-living crisis.
Inflation, currently running at 9% and expected to hit 11% by the end of the year, will leave some drivers facing tough choices when it comes to maintaining their vehicle. With the cost of fuel increasing there are real fears that grey fleet drivers will skip essential tyre and maintenance work, putting the safety of them and other road users at risk.
According to recent spot checks the proportion of grey fleet vehicles with vehicle issues is significantly higher than that of company cars and includes:
- Illegal tyres of less than 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre – has more than doubled year-on-year.
- Incomplete service histories
- Higher MOT failure rates due to defective lights and brakes
- Incorrect or inadequate insurance cover
If you operate a grey fleet of any size we can help – contact our team to discuss our Fleet Management service on 0345 815 0019 / [email protected]
