Fleets should check that cars and vans are delivered with the correct registration plates, the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP) has advised.
The industry body warned of an apparent rise in the number of vehicles being mistakenly supplied with plates showing the wrong registration, or even with different plates on the front and rear.
Paul Hollick, chair at the AFP – which will be at next week’s Great British Fleet Event – said: “We’re hearing from our members of an increasing incidence of this problem. It’s quite an easy thing for fleets to miss on delivery and there are reports of cars and vans driving around on the wrong plates for months or even years.
“In some cases, the error only comes to light when fleets find that the vehicle has been stopped by the police. Operators need to start identifying the problem earlier on by making their own checks on delivery.”
Hollick said the error was down to manufacturers or dealers when the vehicle was being prepared for delivery.
“Really, this is something that should be picked up during the pre-delivery inspection but, from what we are hearing, this is happening less and less often. If a problem subsequently arises and there is a financial implication, there is then the question of who is to blame? Certainly, in those circumstances, dealers don’t seem too keen to take responsibility.”
It’s something that the AFP will likely tackle in a revised version of its Dealer Standard, designed to ensure that fleet cars and vans are delivered in excellent condition to the end user, who is then shown the fundamentals of how to operate the vehicle and treated courteously.
“The original Dealer Standard has been pretty successful since it was launched in 2022, having been adopted by several major dealer groups, and we are looking to re-examine the document in the light of newer developments such as the registration plates issue.
“Certainly, there is a perception within the AFP that dealer relationships with fleets have probably worsened in recent times and could be improved. The Dealer Standard could play a useful role in changing this situation.”
Last month saw the AFP report that growing adoption among carmakers of the dealer agency model was impacting vehicle deliveries to some fleets.
Its members have warned of a fall in standards, with electric vehicles being delivered with little charge and internal combustion cars with only a small amount of fuel.
The AFP will be at next week’s Great British Fleet Event to speak to visitors on all things fleet, offer a listening ear/advice to anyone with a challenge or issue, or indeed, on the other side, hear about how fleets are overcoming challenges. GBFE event details are here.
