Fleet cars in MoT shocker

By Ross Pinnock

26th April 2006

During its four-month investigation, the motoring organisation examined 3,000 cars. Yet, despite those tested having an average age of only two-and-a-half-years, a staggering 53 per cent failed basic checks.

Even well maintained fleets experienced problems. The investigation discovered one 140-strong car pool had faults on 90 per cent of its vehicles during annual checks.

Many minor problems, such as empty washer bottles and under-inflated tyres, can easily be fixed before a model ends up on forecourts. But lasting damage caused by long-term neglect by the previous owner could be invisible when buyers lift up the bonnet. Adrian McCarthy, head of operations for the RAC's vehicle inspection service, said: "Driving with a low oil level could lead to a bill of at least £2,000 to replace an engine, while having insufficient coolant can result in a blown gasket." He recommended taking a trained professional, who will be able to detect signs of poor maintenance, to see a potential buy.

Indifferent drivers and extended service intervals partly explain the high numberof faults. "While most fleet machines arecovered by a maintenance contract, more attention is needed," McCarthy told us. "If you don't own an asset such as a car, you won't have the same interest in looking after it as someone who does."

And it's not only unroadworthy cars that buyers should be aware of. According to insurer Norwich Union, 65 per cent ofcompany-owned models are involved in accidents each year. That includes commercial vehicles, but does not allow for the increasing number of privately owned motors that are used for company business.