Effectively managing a fleet requires organization, foresight, and experience. However, none of those qualities will be enough to run your fleet efficiently and professionally if your vehicles are not in great condition. Regular maintenance and service should be at the top of your list of priorities at all times. Having the right fleet maintenance company on your side is your best bet when it comes to keeping your business moving forward. 

You have a lot of options for getting your vehicles serviced and maintained. This is why it can be so difficult to find the right company for your particular business. If you are going to work with the best possible fleet maintenance company, you need to know what to look for. Understanding what makes a fleet maintenance company right for you and your fleet of vehicles will help you make the right choice and ensure that you can consistently serve your customers well. 

They Have a Fast Turnaround Time 

Vehicle downtime is one of the biggest wastes of time and resources for any fleet. The longer one of your vehicles is out of service, the more revenue you are throwing away on lost income and wasted money for registration and insurance. When choosing a fleet maintenance company, make sure they have a fast turnaround time for all their repairs. Anything longer than a few days can end up being more expensive for your business in the long run. 

To find a fleet maintenance company with a fast turnaround time, it is important to strike a balance between large and small businesses. While you want to be sure that a shop has enough people on staff to get the repair done quickly, you also need to be certain that your vehicle won’t get lost in the shuffle of a large company. Get an estimate on turnaround time every time you need to bring a vehicle into the shop. This will help you narrow down your choices and find the perfect fleet maintenance company for your scheduling needs. 

They Want to Foster a Long-Term Relationship 

Any business owner knows that finding the right vendor is important but it is even more important to generate long-term relationships with the vendors that do the best work. Having a fleet maintenance company on your side as a consistent partner is one of the best ways to get consistently good service. Changing vendors and third-party companies all the time can be frustrating and leaves a lot of variables out in the open. When you have a long-term relationship with the same fleet maintenance company, though, you know what to expect and when you can expect it. 

Working with the same fleet maintenance company on a regular basis lets you anticipate things like pricing and turnover time. Plus, a consistent partner in your service and maintenance procedures will know what your needs are and how you like to do business. This way, you can get your vehicles back as quickly as possible without any breakdowns in communication. 

They Stock a Wide Range of Parts and Materials

When you take a vehicle into the shop for service, it may not take very long to make the actual repair. However, you could end up having to wait for the fleet maintenance company to order parts or get the proper fluids for your particular vehicles. The right fleet maintenance company will always have components and materials on hand. Knowing that you won’t have to take a vehicle out of service for an extended period can give you the peace of mind you need when the time comes for maintenance or repairs. 

When you work with an experienced fleet maintenance company, you can be sure that they will have what they need to make any repairs or service your vehicles. This is especially true if you are consistently working with the same company. Not having to rely on shipping companies and outside parts warehouses can give you the confidence you need that your vehicles will be repaired quickly and easily. Plus, you know that all the parts that are being used are high quality and approved by a fleet maintenance company you trust. 

They Guarantee Their Work 

Any fleet maintenance company that you work with should be able to guarantee their work. If you find out that a shop you go to doesn’t back up the work they do, this is a sure sign that they won’t be a good choice for your business. If a fleet maintenance company backs their work, this means that they have confidence in their expertise and implementation. It also means that should anything go wrong or not be up to par, they will do everything they can to make it right, which helps you keep your vehicles on the road for longer. 

A guarantee provided by a fleet maintenance company should not only cover their work but also the parts and materials used. If a fleet maintenance company sources parts responsibly, they should have no issue offering a warranty on any of them. This eliminates the need to deal with the manufacturer of the part if something goes wrong with a recently-replaced component on one of your vehicles. If your fleet maintenance company is a one-stop shop for all things service and repair, this is a good sign that they are the right choice for your business. 

They Provide Accurate Documentation

Any fleet manager or owner knows that documentation and data gathering are important parts of their job. Perhaps nowhere is this more important than when it comes to logging service and maintenance for your vehicles. Having a fleet maintenance company that provides accurate and thorough documentation for every procedure can be a big help. This will allow you to retain the value of your vehicles and know their maintenance status at any given time. 

One of the things to look for in a fleet maintenance company is integration with your current fleet management system. If they can automatically input data into your software, they are going to be a great choice for your service and maintenance needs. This will help you set up automatic appointment scheduling and other important time-saving automation. Any time you can let your fleet management software work for you in conjunction with the shop, it will be well worth it. 

Work With the Best Fleet Maintenance Company for Your Business

Finding the right fleet maintenance company can be difficult, especially with so many choices available to you. However, with an understanding of the qualities you should be looking for, you can narrow down your options and find a vendor that will be a partner for the long haul. With a high-quality fleet maintenance company on your side, you can focus on running your business and providing your customers with great products and services. 

If you want the best fleet maintenance company to keep your vehicles running smoothly and efficiently, ServiceUp is here for you. With one easy-to-use dashboard to help you manage your maintenance, collision, and mechanical repair needs and seamless integration with major fleet management companies, it has never been easier to get your vehicles repaired by qualified, experienced technicians. Whether you need simple oil changes or major body work, ServiceUp will take care of everything and get you back on the road. Request a demo today to find out how ServiceUp can help your business thrive!