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Confusion over maintenance responsibilities exposing SMEs to prosecution

Fleets leasing cars and vans with an inclusive maintenance package need to put robust systems in place to ensure the work is actually being carried out.

maintenance
FleetCheck says fleets that don’t put systems in place to ensure vehicles are maintained are leaving themselves open to prosecution.

The warning comes from fleet software specialist FleetCheck, which says that it’s increasingly coming across fleets, in particular SMEs, where leasing companies and employers assume that drivers are correctly carrying out maintenance without realising that drivers are often waiting to be prompted and sometimes even ignoring service reminders.

Managing director Peter Golding said: “If a serious accident occurs and an improperly maintained vehicle is part of the reason that it happened, then the owners and directors of the business will be at fault and could be given a custodial sentence. It’s a very serious matter.

“Essentially, the managers of these businesses have handed a huge responsibility to their drivers without putting any systems in place to ensure that they are meeting fundamental legal responsibilities.”

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Written by Natalie Middleton

Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for over 20 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World in 2006. Prior to this, she worked on a range of B2B titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day.

Natalie edits all the Fleet World websites and newsletters, and loves to hear about any latest industry news.

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