Electrical faults have become more common than mechanical problems in company cars, according to online SMR transaction firm Epyx.
Ken Trinder, head of business development at Epyx, explained: “The reasons that company cars need to be seen by service providers have been gradually changing for a while. Obviously, service intervals have lengthened in recent years, so there is less scheduled maintenance but we believe that cars have generally also become much more mechanically reliable.”
Instead, Trinder said, the reasons that a driver booked a vehicle in for repair had become more related to electrical systems.
He said: “Much of this is a reflection of the technology that has been added to vehicles in the last few years. Aircon has become a standard fitment on most cars in the last decade and has been swiftly followed by multiple airbags and satnav systems.
“The company car driver of 1999 might have typically booked their car into a franchise dealer because a wheel bearing was squeaking. In 2009, they might be more likely to seek advice from a franchise dealer because the airbag warning light stays lit continually.”
Trinder said that Epyx’s data suggested the types of faults affecting company cars meant reduced work disruption, with electrical faults usually less time critical than mechanical ones.
