With statistics indicating that a growing number of light commercial vehicles are on the UK’s roads, and with these vehicles being put through their paces by busy delivery drivers, the opportunity for independent workshops to pick up business is ripe. Sealey explains more.
If the growth in sub-3,500kg commercial vehicle sales is anything to go by, workshops are likely to see an increase in light commercial vehicles being presented for service and repair work. The last ten years have seen a 30% increase in sales of this type of vehicle. This mirrors an increase in online shopping levels, as naturally all these purchases need to be delivered.
Many fleet operators are seeing the sub 3,500kg sector as a cost-effective vehicle solution, as smaller vehicles are much easier to source drivers for. They also have a wide appeal in urban areas where road space is limited, and where delivery locations may have restricted access. Owner drivers will invariably purchase a vehicle in this category too. Statistics show that one in every ten vehicles currently on the road are light commercial, which provides a lot of potential service and repair work for independent garages. Furthermore, many motor factors and parts suppliers are having to expand their range of parts and consumable items to meet these additional requests and requirements.
Operators of smaller fleets will always be price conscious when it comes to their choice of garage when service or repair work is needed. Profit margins can become squeezed in the ever-competitive arena of multi-drop deliveries, so this is one key area where independent garages can have a clear price advantage over the franchised dealerships. Fortunately, when it comes to tools and equipment, light commercial vehicles can usually have their needs catered for in a well- equipped passenger car workshop.
Best of both worlds
The world of vehicle interrogation to fault find, code components, reset service warning systems and a host of other vehicle needs, is as relevant to a modern light commercial vehicle as it is to any passenger car. Manufacturers will share components and systems across as wide a range of applications as possible to lower vehicle production costs. However, this does mean diagnostic tools will have a broader range of applications – which is good news for independent garages if they know how to use the tools properly.
The recently-launched Sealey V-Scan Pro Multi-Manufacturer Diagnostic Tool (VSCANP) has a fast wireless multitasking operating system. Sealey says this device has the most extensive coverage of OE-level diagnostics, allowing independent garages to provide a complete diagnostic service for cars, SUVs and LCVs.
Some of the functions included are reading and clearing fault codes, access to live data, component actuation tests, battery configuration, DPF regeneration, electronic parking brake setting, oil service reset, throttle reset, tyre pressure monitoring systems and many more.
ECU and key coding are also possible on certain vehicles. The 8″ touch screen has easy to follow menus, and the purchase price even includes the first two years of software updates. Given the amount of potential work in the LCV sector, it is well worth investing in up-to-date equipment to be able to cater for this growing market.
