Northgate offers free winter check to fleet customers own vehicles

28 November 2008

More people are killed and injured on Britain’s roads in the winter, which makes it imperative that vehicles are maintained in tip-top condition.

With the onset of freezing driving conditions, fog and wet roads, Driving for Better Business champion company Northgate Vehicle Hire is opening its own workshops across the UK with the offer to service and maintain customers’ own vehicles and is promoting a free 20-point winter health and safety check. The check covers a range of items including lights, fluid levels and tyres.

The company’s entire fleet is serviced and maintained through its own in-house workshops. The rental giant was the first in the country to license its mechanics through the Society of Operation Engineers’ IRTEC Licensing Scheme - a nationally recognised safety and competence qualification in the maintenance and repair of vehicles.

But, new research among 500 customers reveals that 62% of businesses also own vehicles in addition to renting units from Northgate.

The research also showed that businesses that need to get their own vehicles maintained typically use either a local garage or a franchise dealer. Convenience and the fact that vehicles remain in warranty are the main reasons for these choices being made.

But, now Northgate has launched a new campaign targeting businesses that have rented vehicles from the company - but also have their own fleet of vehicles - and are located near to one of its 46 retail workshops.

Phil Moorhouse, managing director of Northgate Vehicle Hire, said: “The on-set of winter invariably means driving conditions worsen with visibility often poor and roads frequently icy. It is therefore vital that vehicles are in tip-top condition. A failure by companies and drivers to ensure their vehicles are in a first-class condition could be the difference between life and death.”