We’ve seen a strong sign that businesses are returning to work with fleet service, maintenance and repair (SMR) now back up to 60% of pre-coronavirus levels. We’re basing this assessment on activity through 1link Service Network.

Tim Meadows, Vice President and Commercial Director at epyx, said: “In April, soon after lockdown, the number of jobsheets raised through the platform, which essentially represents the number of separate SMR transactions, fell as low as 18% of the average pre-coronavirus levels we had seen in February.

“Now, we are seeing definite signs of momentum with a noticeable increase in numbers every day. There is a definite feeling that fleets are getting back to work on quite a widespread basis.”

1link Service Network has remained relatively busy through the quietest times of the lockdown because of its use by essential worker fleets, he explained.

“Obviously, some parts of the fleet industry became completely inactive during lockdown but the platform plays an important part in supporting key workers, so we coordinated with our SMR providers to ensure there were sufficient outlets open to meet their needs. Today, those essential fleets are still in action but they are being joined by a wider range of businesses and other organisations.”

We’re encountering some evidence that SMR issues were arising with vehicles as they returned to use, Tim advised, and fleet managers and drivers needed to take care.

“We’re hearing stories of the kinds of issues you would expect – flat tyres and flat batteries, for example – but also some more serious component failures. There is a risk management argument for cars and vans to be properly inspected by a technician before re-entering service if they have been parked up and unused for a while.”

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