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Driver vehicle checks even more critical as MOTs are suspended

Vehicle maintenance checks by drivers have become even more business-critical following the Government’s decision to suspend MoT tests as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

All cars, vans and motorcycles which usually would require an MOT test are to be exempted from needing a test from Monday 30 March for six months.

In response, Jaama managing director Martin Evans has highlighted how vehicle roadworthiness is essential for all road users and added that it is vital that drivers are vigilant and undertake daily vehicle checks.

Garages have been declared ‘essential’ by the Government so remain open to undertake maintenance and repairs. MOTs may have been suspended, but that is no reason to neglect the importance of vehicle defect checks. In fact it makes vehicle maintenance even more important.”

His comments echo those of the DVSA; announcing the MOT suspension, it underlined the importance of keeping vehicles in a roadworthy condition and warned that drivers and businesses could be prosecuted if unsafe vehicles were found to be on the road.

Martin Evans continued: “Tools such as ‘MyVehicle App’ that enable drivers to ‘self-service’ are an essential requirement for fleet operators, and save significant back-office manual intervention.”

The smartphone app includes a vehicle defect check list for drivers. Information recorded is then automatically delivered to Jaama’s Key2 asset management system, which then auto-triggers processes such as service, maintenance and repair procedures.

Evans finished: “A daily walk-around check taking just a few minutes for drivers to check, for example tyre condition, oil, water and screen wash levels and that all lights are working as well as the condition of windscreens and bodywork could be the difference between life and death.”

Written by Natalie Middleton

Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for over 20 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World in 2006. Prior to this, she worked on a range of B2B titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day. As Business Editor, Natalie ensures the group websites and newsletters are updated with the latest news.

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