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Grey fleet motorists driving poorly maintained cars, survey finds

Date: 26 January 2017   |   Author: Daniel Puddicombe

Businesses with employees running vehicles on a grey fleet basis have been warned they could be fined thousands of pounds and be liable to pay costs and damages if one of their drivers is involved in an accident.

The warning comes as new research carried out by Enterprise Rent-a-Car found that more than a quarter of grey fleet drivers have admitted they currently have a warning light on in their car.

Enterprise's poll of 488 grey fleet motorists also found that 21% said they took more than a week to take action when a warning light appeared on their dashboard.

Almost a third (30%), meanwhile, claimed they've never opened the bonnet of their car, 43% have never checked their tyre pressures, and fewer than half (46%) have looked at their engine oil levels.

Meanwhile, the survey found that 17% get their vehicle maintained at regular intervals, such as at an annual MOT or service, while 2% admitted to not keeping regular maintenance schedules at all.

One in 10, meanwhile, also admitted they have been involved in a road accident that could have been caused by a lack of vehicle maintenance.

Enterprise's survey also highlighted how many grey fleet motorists don't carry safety equipment in their cars, with just a third (35%) saying they have a can of de-icer while just over half (52%) carrying a torch.

Additionally, 56% said they know for certain whether or not they have a spare tyre that is roadworthy.

"This research shows just how businesses can be at risk if their strategy is for employees to use their own cars for work and claim mileage reimbursement," said Adrian Bewley, director of business rental at Enterprise Rent-a-Car. "Employers have little or no control over the condition of those personal cars. However, if one of their drivers gets into an accident due to poor vehicle maintenance, the business could find itself liable for heavy fines, costs and damages."



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