Fleet Vehicle Inspections Guide
If you’re looking to buy a fleet of vehicles for your business then it’s vital to ensure they are roadworthy and legal: after all, you don’t want to hand over your hard earned money only to discover that a vehicle has been stolen or involved in multiple accidents. This is why fleet vehicle inspections can be so important.
What are fleet vehicle inspections?
Generally, there are two types of vehicle inspection services available:
- Car data checks: This is a report about a vehicle that will tell you about its background. For example, you can discover if there is any outstanding car finance to pay on the vehicle; if there have been any changes registered with the DVLA; if the car has ever been written off or stolen; if it has had its mileage changed; and if its valuation is accurate.
- Vehicle inspection: This is effectively a safety and road test check before you buy. It can be used to check more than 200 elements of the vehicle and provide you with impartial advice that you can use to negotiate a fair price.
What is included in a vehicle inspection?
Generally, most vehicles can be subject to a vehicle inspection: including both cars and vans. Some inspectors may have certain criteria, however: for example, most will not inspect vehicles that are more than 15 years old and they may not look at American imports or specific high performance vehicles.
A vehicle inspection will vary depending on the provider you choose, but typically for a car inspection you can expect the following points to be examined:
- Body exterior: This will include paintwork; glass; bumpers and number plates; exterior trim; door locks; corrosion protection; mud flaps; body load space condition; corrosion; soft top operation; and more.
- Engine compartment: Typical vehicle inspection services will look at: coolant level and condition; coolant leaks; anti-freeze; water pumps; clutch fluid; brake fluid; engine oil levels; turbo/supercharger; fuel pump and pipes; engine mountings; accelerator links; power steering oil levels; noise levels; and excess smoke.
- Electrical controls: This should incorporate everything from the lights and battery condition to the controls, switches and instruments.
- Interior/luggage compartment: A vehicle inspection will examine the steering wheel alignment and adjustment; the carpets and seat upholstery; the door seals; the luggage trim condition; the boot lock; condition of the soft top; and more.
- Front suspension/under frame: Examinations will be carried out for engine underside leakage; steering joints; power steering; wheel hubs; corrosion protection; and more.
- Rear suspension/under frame: This will incorporate the dampers and brushers; the anti-roll bar; chassis members; corrosion protection; suspension arms/fixings; wheel hubs and bearings; and location rods and fixings.
Other areas investigated include: the clutch/transmission; wheels/tyres; exhaust system; brakes and fuel system.
Most fleet vehicle inspections will also include a road test that will look at engine performance and noise; evidence of overheating; the operation of the instruments and controls; general steering and handling; gearbox and brake operation; and more.
What to do before arranging a vehicle inspection
Remember that before arranging a vehicle inspection you must tell the owner your plans and get their permission to road test the vehicle. You should check that the vehicle will be available in order for the test to take place; ensure it has an MOT certificate and sufficient fuel for the road test to be carried out; and make sure it is located on a hard, level surface away from the public highway. Ideally the vehicle should be clean too, so that it is easier to inspect.
All vehicle inspections do not come with guarantees: each inspection is based purely on the opinion of the expert at the time of checking the vehicle.
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Assess UK is one of the country’s premier independent motor assessors. We are one of the longest established nationwide assessing companies in the UK. We provide vehicle inspections for insurance companies, accident management companies, leasing companies, corporate clients and Individuals. We have over one hundred engineers placed in strategic locations around the country including twelve engineers covering London from our Watford office to ensure a rapid response. New instructions and reports are processed at our central control providing one point of contact for customers. Services provided include:- physical inspection of cars, light & heavy commercial vehicles, motorcycles, coaches and other passenger vehicles, Audatex assessments, post repair inspections, valuation disputes, total loss negotiation, still & live video inspections.
Auteco Vehicle Inspections can offer you pre purchase car inspections by fully qualified motor engineers. Auteco offer much more than just a physical vehicle inspection. Following the vehicle inspection we will carry out a vehicle data check to ensure the vehicle has no outstanding finance, place a valuation on your potential purchase using current market information and even confirm maintenance documentation with service providers (when appropriate)
Auto Assessors National are independent insurance assessors, carrying out accident damage inspections, end of lease inspections, mechanical inspections and private inspections for insurance companies, fleet management companies, private companies, solicitors, local government and the public. From our head office in Wishaw, Lanarkshire, we inspect all forms of motorised vehicles and are able to manage large volumes of inspections and allocate them to our engineers throughout the UK. Whether you need a single one-off inspection or require to outsource all your inspection needs then contact us for a competitive quote.
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