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Whether your fleet is comprised of a handful of vehicles or hundreds, one of the most important steps to ensuring its safety and efficiency is to carry out regular vehicle checks. By monitoring these checks closely, you gain valuable insights into how well your vehicles are performing and can take immediate action to correct any faults or problems.
But it’s not just a good practice—for many vehicles and fleet, regular, documented vehicle checks are the law, and you could be in violation if you don’t carry them out. In this blog post, we’ll discuss why regular vehicle checks are so important for businesses and how investing in technology such as a vehicle defect reporting app can make managing them much more straightforward.
What are vehicle checks and why are they important for businesses
- Windshields and mirrors: If they are cracked, damaged or misaligned, they must be repaired as soon as possible as they can hinder visibility and increase the likelihood of accidents
- Oil levels and quality: Regular oil changes keep engines running smoothly, while neglecting this important piece of maintenance can lead to damage, breakdowns and costly repairs.
- Belts, hoses and tires: Worn or damaged systems increase the risk of engine damage and could be responsible for accidents.
- Ignition systems: Prevent dangerous incidents like misfires and hard starting by regularly inspecting and maintaining ignition systems.
Here’s an example of how you can perform a daily vehicle check.
Having an app to record vehicle checks can provide an easy and fast way of relaying the information discovered in the check to the appropriate parties. As a business owner, you can feel secure in knowing that vital systems and hardware are being looked at on a daily basis, and that you are compliant with mandatory standards and road safety codes.
Steps for setting up a regular vehicle check process
Establishing a routine for regular vehicle checks is essential, so that your employees are aware that regular check-ups should be a top priority.
To ensure that vehicle checks become a part of your driver’s daily routine, you can establish a checklist that they must complete before beginning their shift. This should include a visual inspection of the exterior, interior, tires and windows. If any issues are spotted they should be reported as soon as possible, either verbally or through the use of an automated app.
In addition to daily checks, it is essential that in-depth inspections take place periodically. After each journey or at least every month your drivers should inspect their vehicle thoroughly for any signs of wear and tear and check all the necessary fluids.
Finally, it is important to keep vehicles tidy and presentable. Many issues such as windshield cracks or rust can be hidden by mud. Make sure that your drivers know they must regularly clean their vehicles inside and out. It’s a good idea to allocate time for them to do this or even consider outsourcing cleaning services if available in your area.
By ensuring that your fleet is running in peak condition, you can help save money on costly repairs and keep your drivers safe by preventing breakdowns or accidents caused by mechanical issues. Regularly checking for damages to the bodywork, tires and brakes as well as inspecting engine performance will ensure that your fleet is always ready to hit the road.
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