Choosing a provider for fleet maintenance—be it in Central Florida or anywhere else—demands careful selection.
Not all service providers are made equal. Get it wrong and you risk not only poor vehicle reliability, but it can also hit your company where it hurts most—in the pocket.
The following looks at the crucial criteria when searching for the ultimate fleet maintenance provider.
9 Steps to Choosing Fleet Vehicle Maintenance in Central Florida (or anywhere in the US)
- The risks of asset (vehicle) downtime
- 9 things to consider when choosing fleet vehicle maintenance in Central Florida
The risks of asset (vehicle) downtime
Poor fleet maintenance equals reduced reliability and the hours that vehicles are on the road. No matter what the reason, if a vehicle “goes tech” (to steal an aircraft term that means it’s not able to operate), did you know the average cost of this per day is between $448 to $760 each day?
Looking at those figures, it becomes blindingly obvious that partnering with the right fleet vehicle maintenance is vital.
9 things to consider when choosing fleet vehicle maintenance in Central Florida
When narrowing down your shortlist of potential providers, consider all of the following before making a decision.
- Location: If your business is in Central Florida, for example, then you need a provider that’s easily accessible. For those that operate on a regional or national basis, be sure to ascertain if and how they can adequately serve your requirements.
- Expertise: Does the provider have the necessary skills to work on not only the marques you run today but also potential future additions or fleet changes in the future?
- Reputation: How long have they been in business? Do they have a high repeat customer base? Do they have multiple long-term fleet partnerships?
- Warranties and guarantees: Does the company offer both part and labor warranties? This important element is often overlooked when selecting a provider.
- Do they have their own parts inventory? Many fleet repair providers only order parts as they need them. This can lead to costly delays if they can’t source necessary items when required. This might not be a deal-breaker but should be considered—especially for fleets that run on the tightest of deadlines.
- Insurance: Is the auto shop adequately insured? What would happen to your assets in the case of a natural disaster or fire, for instance?
- Comms: Will you have a dedicated point of contact? What about tech so you can communicate upcoming needs—perhaps online or via an app—and track the status of vehicles being worked on?
- Operating hours: Does the provider offer 7/7 service? What happens if you need an urgent repair out of hours?
- Pricing: Determine the costs of regular annual servicing and other elements you routinely require. Don’t make the mistake of thinking cheaper is better… Instead, consider pricing in conjunction with the service your fleet will receive and go for the best value your budget will allow.
The makeup of your fleet will also have an impact on the eventual provider you select. It’s important to choose a dynamic and flexible solution—the fleet you run today may look very different in a few years, especially if you’re looking to swap to hybrid and/or fully electric vehicles.
Call Autobahn of Boca to Discuss Your Fleet Vehicle Maintenance in Central Florida Requirements
At Autobahn of Boca, our fleet maintenance services really are second to none. While it might sound like we’re blowing our own trumpet, we invite you to discover the many reasons why we’re the go-to provider for the savviest of fleet managers and owners.
From preventative maintenance to dynamic assessment, our expertise and flexible approach to some of the most customer-friendly prices in the business, it’s no wonder our partnerships with Central Florida businesses go on for many years.
Discover the Autobahn difference at https://www.autobahnofboca.com/services/fleet-services and call today to discuss your requirements.