Fleet servicing should be straightforward, with vehicles being checked and costs staying predictable. In reality, it doesn’t always work that neatly, though.

When services are missed or warnings are ignored, a minor fault can turn into an expensive repair quickly.

Getting drivers on board with fleet servicing is one of the best ways to counteract rising vehicle maintenance costs. When you take the time to understand their behaviour and remove friction, you’re on track to build a culture where fleet servicing feels normal, easy, and worthwhile.

Why does fleet servicing get missed?

Most missed services aren’t deliberate. Usually, they happen because servicing feels easy to postpone.

Drivers are busy and are focused on the job, not the vehicle. If the car or van feels fine, servicing can drop down the list. That mindset causes real problems both for fleet servicing and vehicle maintenance.

Cost perception plays a big role, too.

Even when drivers aren’t paying directly, high repair costs create hesitation. Cost anxiety can lead to delayed approvals and to bookings getting pushed back. Vehicles stay on the road longer than they should.

Inconvenience is another barrier. For some drivers, vehicle maintenance feels like admin they didn’t sign up for. Over time, that frustration can easily turn into disengagement.

All of this undermines driver vehicle servicing compliance before anyone realises there’s an issue.

The behaviour gap that drives up vehicle maintenance

Every day driving behaviour has a direct impact on maintenance spend.

Late reporting is a big one. If a warning light comes on, but the vehicle still drives, it can get ignored. What could have been a simple fix spirals into a breakdown or major repair job. 

Driving technique is also partially responsible; heavy braking, aggressive acceleration, and kerbing wheels put wear and tear on the vehicles in your fleet. Beyond this, drivers failing to check tyre pressures, fluids, or carry out basic inspections can exacerbate issues. When drivers don’t feel responsible for the vehicle’s condition, small issues slip through. 

This is where fleet servicing compliance really matters more as a habit than a policy. And habits only change when drivers understand why it matters to them.

Struggling with missed services and rising SMR costs?

It might be time to look at how your fleet servicing process really works. Get in touch with the SG Fleet team to see how we can level up your fleet maintenance.

Ageing fleets can push SMR costs higher

Ageing fleets magnify every weakness in servicing behaviour.

Older vehicles break down more often, and their parts wear out faster. Repairs can either take longer or, at the very least, be much more frequent. This means you’re likely to be facing increased downtime in combination with a higher SMR spend if your fleet servicing isn’t watertight.

Compliance messaging helps, but isn’t a cure-all

Just telling drivers to book services isn’t always the best way to improve fleet servicing compliance.

Posters, emails, and policy documents can easily get ignored. Not necessarily because drivers don’t care, but because the message doesn’t connect.

As in all workplaces, drivers generally want clarity. What needs doing, when it needs doing by, and how long it takes. It’s also good to communicate the repercussions if it’s delayed, though not necessarily in a punitive way. When fleet servicing feels vague or bureaucratic, it can lose its urgency.

To improve fleet servicing compliance, communication has to be practical with clear instructions, simple processes, and realistic explanations rather than generic reminders.

Make fleet servicing easier to say yes to

The biggest gains come from reducing friction.

Try to keep the booking process as simple as possible with one place to go, and clear options once the driver is there. The easier it is to book vehicle maintenance, the higher the compliance. 

Transparency helps driver vehicle servicing compliance, too. Drivers want to know how long the vehicle will be off the road, what work is being done and when they’ll get it back. When drivers feel they’re being guided, they’re more likely to report issues early and follow servicing schedules properly

Where structured fleet management makes the difference

Centralised servicing control removes the guesswork and means that vehicles get booked at the right time, work is authorised quickly, and delays get flagged early. 

Data plays a key role here, too. Seeing patterns across fleet servicing, vehicle maintenance, and SMR spend means that problems can be tackled before they escalate. 

You need fleet servicing that’s designed around real-world use and not theory or paperwork for its own sake. Practical systems like this keep vehicles compliant, roadworthy, and cost-effective.

What good fleet servicing looks like in practice

Effective fleet servicing is predictable, and vehicles are maintained on time with costs tightly controlled. In terms of culture, drivers know what’s expected and feel supported.

• Compliance improves because the process works. Not because people are chased.
• Vehicle maintenance becomes part of normal operations. Not an afterthought.

That’s how fleets protect uptime, control SMR spend, and keep drivers safer on the road.

Ready to take control of fleet servicing?

At SG Fleet, we manage fleet servicing and vehicle maintenance as part of a fully joined-up fleet management approach. We handle scheduling, approvals, compliance, and reporting, so nothing slips through the cracks. The result is better driver engagement, lower SMR costs, and vehicles that stay roadworthy for longer.

If you want to improve fleet servicing compliance and remove the friction drivers face every day, we can help. Talk to us about how your fleet really runs, and we’ll show you how to make it work smarter, rather than harder.

FAQs

Why do drivers miss vehicle services?

Usually, because servicing feels inconvenient or unnecessary when the vehicle seems fine, cost concerns and unclear processes also play a role.

How does driver behaviour affect maintenance costs?

Late reporting, harsh driving, and skipped checks accelerate wear and turn small issues into expensive repairs.

Do older fleets need different servicing approaches?

Yes. Ageing vehicles require tighter servicing control to prevent breakdowns and rising SMR spend.

How can fleets improve servicing compliance?

By simplifying booking, improving communication, and building a culture where vehicle maintenance feels practical and supported.