Anything with an internet connection minimises our attention spans. We do not leaf through a reference book; we expect information in front of us with a click or a tap. There is no perusal of video shelves; we just flick on a streaming service. To a lesser extent, we are far more likely to listen to music via an app than we are to lay our hands on a physical album.
Love it or loathe it, cutthroat instant gratification means major brands need to give us what we want online. For fleets, that is information – and manufacturers, take note: the more of it you give fleets and the easier you make it to find and use, the better your score.
That is the fundamental basis of our annual website assessment. Each year, we pore over the 10 best-selling manufacturers’ online fleet pages and evaluate how well they serve the industry. We also fan out from the fleet-only sections to try the online tools and services that a business decision maker, a company car driver or an employee with a salary sacrifice scheme might feasibly use. We even rope in social media and messaging services for good measure, so it is a full-on mystery shop.
After some paltry performances in 2024, there was a noticeable improvement in the quality of live chat responses this year, driven by a mixture of AI and good human agents. Both proved fallible, though, and underlined the difference between just filling a role (human or robot) and genuinely impressive customer service. Conversely, social media correspondence nosedived this year, because four manufacturers completely ignored our messages – none did in 2024.
It was no surprise to see Vauxhall once again at the top of our ranking in 2025. It has a habit of studying the results of this article, taking them on board and converting them into tangible updates. It clearly cares about what fleets get out of visiting its website, which is why it keeps winning.
Its lead has narrowed, though, and Nissan – which held second place – was just four points shy, much of which was down to superior communication. Hyundai – which has made a commendable effort in recent years – climbed one place to round off the podium.
Things got really close mid-table, where five manufacturers had scores in the 50s and four finished in joint positions. Ford was the biggest climber – up four places to fourth, mostly by improving its messaging responses. Mercedes held fifth but was joined by Kia, up one place, again helped by a strong live chat. Volkswagen was another non-mover at seventh, sharing its spot with BMW, which ascended one place – yet again due to far better messaging responses.
Audi and Peugeot had scores in the 30s, marking a chasm between the middle and the bottom of the pack. The former’s 2024 and 2025 scores were identical, which is not surprising, because little, if anything, changed. Peugeot was a new entry this year – replacing Toyota (third in 2024) which dropped out of the top 10 manufacturers in the first half of 2025 – and it could learn a thing or two from the brands above it.
How our analysis works
In early July, we studied the top 10 OEMs’ (according to SMMT registrations for the first half of 2025) websites. We punch the company’s name and ‘fleet’ into Google, to reach what should be the main page for business car operators. We navigate to other pages from there.
We examine 10 key areas, each of which are scored from one to 10, or zero when there is no such function or service. We reward sites that acknowledge fleets and make the effort to provide genuinely useful information and resources. We penalise those that treat fleets as an afterthought or focus on the flashy with nothing to back it up.
When we engage with OEMs online, we score them on speed, relevance, clarity and politeness. We also ask each brand’s press office if the fleet pages have changed in the past year or if they are due an update.
Ease of use: How simple is it to find straightforward information about a car (even better if it is a P11D)? Our barometer is to start at the fleet homepage, then count the number of clicks it takes to find the price of a popular model, followed by CO2 and BIK.
Design: The one part where style over substance wins points. Quite simply, how good does the site look?
Configurator: A big deal for choice list drivers. The best load quickly, clearly display key information and look great.
Brochure download: Some OEMs no longer bother with online brochures, while others produce beautiful, interactive documents, packed with useful data.
Live chat: We clicked on each manufacturer’s live chat service (assuming it had one) and asked if a popular model was fitted with rear parking sensors as standard (every car was – we checked). Responses were judged on speed, accuracy, and politeness.
Social media: Manufacturers: by all means, go for it with the promotional lifestyle posts – but we like those that do not forget their fleet customers.
Social media messaging: As with live chat, we sent each OEM a direct message on a major social media platform and ranked the responses with the same metrics.
Dealer finder: Every site has one. How easy is it to find and use and does it have any filters relevant to fleets?
Mobile site: Many sites are now designed to be ‘mobile-first’. The best neatly repackage themselves according to the format.
Extras: We rate the OEMs that go the extra mile by adding useful tools, guides and other content to their fleet pages.
| Ranking (position change from 2024) | Manufacturer | Score | Good | Bad |
| 1 (no change) | Vauxhall | 71% | Easily the best all-rounder. No other top 10 brand dedicates as much online resource to fleets | Did not respond to our social media message |
| 2 (no change) | Nissan | 67% | Excellent messaging services and the only fleet site with a video header | So-so brochures and configurator; has ditched some fleet tools |
| 3 (+1) | Hyundai | 60% | Work has clearly gone into this site; fleet brochures and ease of use are superb | Could use some proper fleet tools; room for improvement with dealer finder and social media |
| 4 (+4 biggest climber) | Ford | 59% | Best dealer finder and social media; really upped its messaging game | Badly in need of some extras; configurator could be better |
| 5 (no change) | Mercedes-Benz | 55% | Gorgeous configurator and brochures; great mobile site | As always, key info is too hidden; promo-only social media |
| 5 (+1) | Kia | 55% | Lots of extras, great dealer finder and lightning-fast live chat | Did not respond to our social media message; design has not changed for a long time |
| 7 (+1) | BMW | 52% | Best social media response and excellent configurator | We just keep saying it: the design is well out of date |
| 7 (no change) | Volkswagen | 52% | Simple to use, solid extras and very good configurator | No brochures and did not respond to our social media message |
| 9 (+1) | Audi | 35% | Mobile site remains a strong point; decent extras and live chat | Behind the pack in most areas and has changed little in recent years |
| 10 (new entry) | Peugeot | 31% | Social media and brochures are its strongest suits | Sub-par across the board; a world apart from Stellantis stablemate Vauxhall |
Audi
https://www.audi.co.uk/en/find-and-buy/business-and-fleet/fleet-range
Ease of use: 2/10
Price is a click from the fleet homepage, two more – into the configurator – get you CO2 and mpg. No mention of BIK, though.
Design: 2/10
Used to be a lot more interesting than it now is (the old tile design was a category-topper). Does the job, but not especially inspiring.
Configurator: 1/10
There are nine static images and the 3D view did not work on our browser. Frankly, a shadow of its former self.
Brochure download: 1/10
Audi canned online brochures several years ago.
Social media messaging: 5/10
Audi replied, but only to ask us for the VIN number of a car it presumed we already owned. We explained that our enquiry was about a new vehicle, then heard nothing more. Would have scored lower if others had replied at all.
Live chat: 7/10
Virtual assistant was a pain – we had to repeat the question multiple times and pick from dead-end options. Helpful when we made it to a human, though, and we had an answer with a spec link in 10 minutes.
Dealer finder: 1/10
The link is right at the bottom of the page and there are no fleet-specific filters.
Social media: 2/10
EV explainer videos on YouTube have their uses, but the automated voiceover is annoying. Everything else is just promo.
Mobile site: 8/10
Something Audi has always done well, and the site is clearly designed from a mobile-first perspective. Very neat and clean layout.
Extras: 7/10
Good, but the same as last year. Company car tax, TCO, and contract hire calculators, car comparator, ‘going electric’ page with EV explainers, specialist vehicles page.
Verdict 35%
BMW
https://www.bmw.co.uk/en/topics/buying/business-corporate/fleet-managers.html
Ease of use: 6/10
One click gets you a price, two more and you are into the configurator with really clear key stats.
Design: 1/10
We say it year after year: for all its other merits, BMW’s fleet pages are white, dull and samey. A little pizazz would not go amiss.
Configurator: 9/10
Highly interactive, and key information – power, range, charging time, costs etc – is prominently displayed. Among the best in the business.
Brochure download: 6/10
Hidden behind a data wall, but very smart and fluid when you get there. Others are better at presenting key information, though.
Social media messaging: 10/10
Exceptional – and a complete turnaround on last year. We received a polite and comprehensive response in three minutes.
Live chat: 8/10
We tried the AI assistant first, and it could not answer our question. The human-powered live chat service did, in four minutes.
Dealer finder: 5/10
Dead easy to find – link is at the top right of the fleet homepage – but very much a no-frills affair. Same as Peugeot, so we scored them identically.
Social media: 6/10
Not fleet-heavy, but tailors content for different channels. LinkedIn has some business-themed posts and there are useful EV YouTube videos.
Mobile site: 2/10
The headline images are so dark in mobile format that you can barely make out the cars. As with the desktop site, design is its weakest suit.
Extras: 5/10
Same as always – no tools but lots of guides, although some are now looking out-of-date. BMW told us a buy online tool and an SME section are due later this year.
Verdict: 52%
Ford
https://www.ford.co.uk/commercial-vehicles/fleet
Ease of use: 4/10
Good for EVs – price and range are there within a click. CO2 and mpg are there for ICE models, but you have to scroll to the bottom of the model page or cycle through the configurator.
Design: 5/10
Little different to years past, but the deep blue link boxes and Hotpoint fleet video catch the eye.
Configurator: 3/10
Does the job, but limited to eight static images and requires a fair bit of scrolling to reveal all the info.
Brochure download: 5/10
Ford appears to have ditched full-on brochures, but its price lists – though plain – give you everything you need in one place.
Social media messaging: 7/10
We had to confirm that we did not actually own a Ford and state that our question related to all powertrain types, but we had an answer and a link within three hours.
Live chat: 8/10
A dead heat with and identical to BMW, so we scored them equally. The initial AI chat did not cut it, but the conventional, manned live chat got us an answer in four minutes. Massive improvement on last year.
Dealer finder: 10/10
The number of filters – 21 – clinches it. Many are dedicated to fleets, including small business and fleet, car/LCV rental and accident repair centres.
Social media: 10/10
The big thing here is LCVs, which get lots of attention, as do dedicated fleet videos. Reflects Ford’s dominance in the van market, but more business-focused than others.
Mobile site: 6/10
Neat and compact layout. Another that looks more at home on a phone than a PC.
Extras: 1/10
The few fleet testimonial videos are a nice touch, but nothing you could call useful.
Verdict: 59%
Hyundai
https://www.hyundai.com/uk/en/business/purchasing-a-hyundai/hyundai-business.html
Ease of use: 10/10
Superb. The whole model range is listed with prices on the fleet homepage. EVs are prioritised and range/battery capacity is displayed. Every model has a link to a fleet guide/pricing info.
Design: 6/10
Not what you would call thrilling, but its cleanliness, functionality and ease of access are aesthetically pleasing in themselves.
Configurator: 5/10
Easily accessed from the fleet pages and key info is clear, but let down by a lack of interactivity. Static images only and lots of clicking required.
Brochure download: 10/10
The model guides on the business homepage are geared expressly to fleet customers and contain clear links to conventional brochures and price lists. Ticks our box in a big way.
Social media messaging: 9/10
Took just five minutes more than BMW. A polite, friendly reply with a link to a spec sheet.
Live chat: 4/10
We waited for 11 minutes while the receptionist (possibly AI) tried to put us through to a dealer that did not respond.
Dealer finder: 3/10
Quite hard to find from the fleet pages, because it disappears from the blue shortcuts bar on the right. Reappears when you head to the homepage. Works fine, but fewer filters than there used to be.
Social media: 3/10
A few nods to recent fleet events but nothing especially business-oriented. Content is quite samey across channels.
Mobile site: 7/10
This used to be among Hyundai’s weakest links, but it upped its game last year with a tidy new layout.
Extras: 3/10
There is a lot of information about different fuel types and how they suit fleets, but as with Ford, nothing in the way of a useful tool.
Verdict: 60%
Kia
https://www.kia.com/uk/business
Ease of use: 7/10
Not as instant as Hyundai, but not far off. One click reveals a fleet-specific range page; click the model for contract hire value, P11D, mpg, CO2 and BIK.
Design: 3/10
Clean and simple, but it has not changed much over the years and now looks long in the tooth.
Configurator: 7/10
The 360 view took a bit of loading and there are five sections to click through, but it’s clean, clear and well laid-out.
Brochure download: 3/10
No access without handing over your email address. It is swish, but requires a lot of clicking to access key info. All rather style over substance.
Social media messaging: 0/10
No response.
Live chat: 9/10
We were unable to access Kia’s AI-powered live chat on our own computer/phone, so borrowed someone else’s. When we did, the response was instantaneous.
Dealer finder: 9/10
Very obvious link from the business page with seven filters, including business sales and specialists, Motability and rental.
Social media: 5/10
Recent nods to an external fleet event on LinkedIn and PV van range videos on YouTube. Kia says it has increased its fleet content on LinkedIn, but we did not see much evidence of that.
Mobile site: 3/10
Nothing wrong with it per se, but does not reformat to the extent that others do and bluntly mirrors the desktop site.
Extras: 10/10
Lots of useful stuff here: tax calculator, contract hire quote tool, business events section and news and info about the forthcoming van range.
Verdict: 55%
Mercedes-Benz
https://www.mercedes-benz.co.uk/passengercars/cars-guide/fleet-business.html#
Ease of use: 1/10
Mercedes still makes you work so much harder than others just to find a price – which you will, eventually in the (admittedly excellent) brochure and configurator.
Design: 8/10
The car photography is gorgeous and the big, scrolling tile format works really well. We miss the cool black background of yesteryear, though.
Configurator: 10/10
Still the benchmark. Information is served up coherently and it is so handsome and intuitive that you just want to stay on the page.
Brochure download: 8/10
As beautifully produced as ever and the information is wonderfully accessible. A little more focus on fleet would clinch it this category.
Social media messaging: 6/10
Initially replied in just over an hour. Friendly, but did not seem to understand our question and the eventual answer was wrong.
Live chat: 3/10
The AI chat is very good at quickly directing you to a dealer. It is no good whatsoever at answering a question about the product.
Dealer finder: 2/10
Another one hidden away in the footer. There are eight filters, but none relate to fleet.
Social media: 1/10
Used to do good van content, but appears to have stopped bothering. Everything else is pure promo.
Mobile site: 10/10
Looks smart in either format, and slips neatly into mobile configuration. Mercedes has also addressed last year’s problem of the chat link dropping off the side of the screen in mobile form.
Extras: 8/10
Comparator and BIK calculator, plus extensive electric section and bits and pieces dedicated to chauffeur and specialist sales.
Verdict: 55%
Nissan
https://www.nissan.co.uk/fleet-car-solutions/fleet-car-solutions.html
Ease of use: 5/10
Two clicks from the fleet homepage reveals P11D, BIK and mpg/range.
Design: 10/10
The only manufacturer with a rolling video of its vehicles – both cars and vans. An undeniable eye-catcher and a real turnaround for Nissan in this respect.
Configurator: 4/10
The main images are decent when you get there, but rivals serve up information more coherently with less clicking and scrolling.
Brochure download: 4/10
Another one behind an email data collection wall, and it fantastic… if you like lots of pictures of posey models. Scroll down to the price and spec list for more useful info.
Social media messaging: 8/10
A solid, speedy response. Nissan answered our question in around 45 minutes and a sent a link to further info.
Live chat: 10/10
We had a link to a brochure and an answer in five minutes. Nissan wins this category, because it has a single, manned chat service – there is no ‘start with AI then move onto human’ malarkey. It just got on with it.
Dealer finder: 8/10
The link is easily found via the drop-down menu and there are 10 filters, including Motability, van centres and dealers with rapid charge points.
Social media: 9/10
Other channels are meh, but the volume and breadth of YouTube videos is impressive.
Mobile site: 5/10
The compressed and reorganised links, top and bottom, are excellent, but it is a shame that you get a static header pic instead of a video.
Extras: 4/10
Plenty of info, including case studies and van sections, plus direct fleet contacts. Seems to have ditched tools such as calculators, though.
Verdict: 67%
Peugeot
https://www.peugeot.co.uk/business/our-fleet-solutions/large-fleet-50.html
Ease of use: 3/10
Two clicks get you a price, but not much else beyond offers. One more into ‘price and spec’ bring you to the brochure, which is much more useful.
Design: 4/10
Electric blue pictures look sharp, but there is little else to distinguish it.
Configurator: 2/10
The price and spec link is really useful, but that is actually the ebrochure. The configurator is more like a web page with clickable pictures.
Brochure download: 7/10
Solid, industry-standard brochures and a good lesson in ‘no fuss’. Clickable links and easily accessible information.
Social media messaging: 0/10
No response.
Live chat: 0/10
Lacks an online chat service. We tried the ‘search the community’ function, but that was no help.
Dealer finder: 5/10
As with BMW, we gave it a middling five, because it is really easy to find, but contains no filters.
Social media: 7/10
Prolific poster. Not much for fleets, but YouTube tutorials are useful, vans get the odd mention and there is a recent Stellantis fleet and business podcast.
Mobile site: 1/10
The desktop site contains a list of key account managers and their contact details. It was not there when we looked at the mobile version.
Extras: 2/10
Direct fleet contacts are useful, but we could find nothing else of note.
Verdict: 31%
Vauxhall
https://www.vauxhall.co.uk/business/fleet/overview.html
Ease of use: 9/10
Excellent. Click on the ‘range’ tab and each model is displayed with P11D, CO2, BIK and range/mpg. Broken down by EVs, ICEs/hybrids and vans.
Design: 9/10
Extremely well laid out, and we like the dominant quartet of rotating photos and the responsive lower links bar.
Configurator: 6/10
There is an appeal to its simplicity – info is clearly displayed on the right-hand side – but the seven static pictures are quite dull.
Brochure download: 9/10
Really obvious on the fleet homepage and the price guides, in particular, are excellent. Details are clear and comprehensive – and there is a company car and fleet section.
Social media messaging: 0/10
No response.
Live chat: 5/10
The chat link appeared after we navigated away from the fleet homepage, so took a bit of finding, but we had an answer in 13 minutes.
Dealer finder: 6/10
Not buried at the bottom, but you do have to scroll down. Nine filters, including Motability and van sales and service.
Social media: 8/10
Vans and associated offers get a decent mention across channels (not just on LinkedIn) and, as with Peugeot, there is the Stellantis fleet and business podcast.
Mobile site: 9/10
Really well organised. The desktop site contains a lot of info, and it is expertly rejigged in mobile form.
Extras: 10/10
We called it the gold standard in fleet tools and features last year, and that still applies. Tax, WLC, CO2 footprint and van tax calculators, P11D price lists and more in the ‘tools’ section.
Verdict: 71%
Volkswagen
https://www.volkswagen.co.uk/en/finance-offers-and-fleet/business-and-fleet.html
Ease of use: 8/10
Very good. The ‘explore the range’ tab unearths P11D, range, BIK and CO2 with a link to all spec levels.
Design: 7/10
Looks fresher than it used to and, like Mercedes, the scrolling tile format works well on desktop and mobile alike.
Configurator: 8/10
Choice of static or interactive images and key info is very clearly displayed. You can also opt to view P11D prices, which is very fleet-friendly.
Brochure download: 0/10
Along with its stablemate, Audi, VW has long since ditched brochures.
Social media messaging: 0/10
No response.
Live chat: 6/10
Uses the same system as Audi and again, the initial prompts get you nowhere. We had to clarify our question, but got an answer after 13 minutes.
Dealer finder: 7/10
The link is well down the page, but the 10 filters – including local business, fleet business partner and rental – are impressive.
Social media: 4/10
Little of note on the car channels. There are dedicated VWCV feeds, but they look unloved by comparison.
Mobile site: 4/10
Similar formatting to the desktop site so no great difference, but it looks neater in mobile form.
Extras: 8/10
Lots to like, such as the company car cost comparison tool, contract hire offers section, direct fleet contacts, salsac and EV fleet explainers.
Verdict: 52%
Calling all cars: we test manufacturers’ phone services
The existence of Nottingham College’s phone anxiety training course for the Gen Z workforce tells you all you need to know about the relegation of the humble call. It may no longer be at the forefront of public communication, but a phone service still counts in the customer service stakes. We removed it from the scored part of the website assessment in 2023, but our position still stands: any major brand offering a phone service really should be able to actually answer the call (harder than you might think) and answer a basic question about one of its products in a polite and professional fashion. Lots of manufacturers publish dedicated fleet phone numbers – or even direct fleet team contact details – on their sites, but that is not universal, which is why we ring the generic customer service number. As with our social media and live chat assessments, we ask each OEM if a popular model is fitted with rear parking sensors as standard.
Ford was the least impressive because we could not get through, followed by Audi, because the agent just did not know the answer.
Getting through to the Stellantis brands was hard, and we had to call Vauxhall and Peugeot three times each. They both answered the question, though, and Peugeot’s agent, in particular, was very polite, friendly and helpful.
Hyundai was quick, with a sub-four-minute call, and polite but not particularly friendly – the operative answered the specific question and that was that.
Volkswagen took two attempts – the call quality was too muffled on the first – and you have to go through the automated system, which initially points you to the website. However, our second attempt was successful, and we had an answer in less than three minutes.
Mercedes HQ described our question as “very technical” and put us through to a dealer, who instantly answered the question. Less than five minutes.
Onto the best: it was a five-minute wait, but Kia’s operative was very pleasant and helpful and answered our question straight away. Nissan’s was really pleasant and took the time to check the details and follow up – the call lasted about six minutes.
The winner, though, was BMW, with a polite, helpful and speedy operative, who gave us a definitive answer in two-and-a-half minutes.
