Vehicle wear and tear is a normal part of managing a company car fleet. The more a company car is driven, the more likely it is to naturally deteriorate. However, normal wear and tear on company cars does not include damage caused by impact, vehicle misuse or improper driving behaviours.
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To determine what the acceptable wear and tear on leased or rented vehicles is, the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) created a guide to help company car fleet managers.
This article will review the BVRLA fair wear and tear guide and will provide advice on how to ensure your drivers are taking care of their vehicles.
What Is BVRLA Fair Wear and Tear?
According to the BVRLA fair wear and tear guide, “fair wear and tear” encompases any deterioration that occurs from the everyday usage of a vehicle.
Wear and tear can happen to any of the following parts of a vehicle:
- Paintwork, vehicle body, bumpers and trim
- Windows, glass, door mirrors and lights
- Tyres and wheels
- Vehicle interior
- Equipment and controls
The BVRLA fair wear and tear guide also walks you through how to assess a vehicle’s general appearance, road safety, mechanical condition, documentation and keys.
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What Is Acceptable Wear and Tear on a Leased Car?
For a detailed list of what is and is not considered fair wear and tear on a rented or leased vehicle, you should reference the BVRLA fair wear and tear guide. As a general rule of thumb, any deterioration caused by everyday usage is acceptable wear and tear.
For a fair assessment of your vehicle, wash it before being presented for inspection. Make sure to let the water dry completely, as a wet surface can mask abnormal wear and tear. You don’t want any warning lights to be lit up on the dash, and any repairs that have been completed on the vehicle must be to a professional standard.
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If your vehicle has acquired dents, chips or scratches, don’t panic. The BVRLA fair wear and tear guide outlines how large the dents, chips and scratches may be to be considered normal wear and tear.
All of this, and more, is explained in detail in the downloadable guide.
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How to Ensure Drivers Take Care of Their Vehicles
As an employer, there are a number of things you can do to make sure your drivers are taking the best possible care of their vehicles.
Some suggestions for making sure company vehicles are properly cared for include:
- Create a company vehicle policy that clearly outlines a drivers’ responsibilities
- Require regular inspections of employee vehicles
- Educate employees about the importance of maintaining their vehicle
- Consider rewarding drivers who take exemplary care of their vehicles
- Implement disciplinary actions that employees will receive if they violate the company vehicle policy
Taking good care of company cars is the responsibility of both the employee and the employer. It’s up to you to clearly communicate and enforce the company vehicle policy and to keep your drivers informed of any changes made to it.
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How Telematics Can Reduce Wear and Tear
Determining the normal wear and tear of a rented or leased company vehicle is made easier with the help of the BVRLA fair wear and tear guide. However, the fair wear and tear guide only applies to deterioration that’s already occurred to a vehicle.
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To prevent unnecessary wear and tear and curb vehicle misuse before it becomes a real problem, you should consider installing a fleet telematics system into your company cars. Vimcar’s fleet tracking system provides real-time company vehicle monitoring. Our products can help reduce speeding and accidents, optimise routes and protect both your drivers and your company’s investment.
For more information on Vimcar’s fleet telematics system, contact our customer service team today.
