A fifth of fleets report longer vehicle downtimes
More than a fifth of fleets have reported that vehicle downtimes have increased in the last 12 months.
Workshop capacity, a lack of trained technicians and poor parts availability have been cited and the key contributing factors.
According to the 2026 Arval Mobility Observatory Barometer, 21% of fleets say that vehicle downtimes are longer than they were a year ago, although this is a slight improvement on the 21% who reported an increase in downtime last year.
In response, 40% of operators say they are working with vehicle manufacturers with more reliable parts supply, 34% are monitoring repair times more closely, and 22% have increased the size of their fleets.
John Peters, head of Arval Mobility Observatory in the UK, said: “In recent times, the sector has seen unusually high downtime, something caused by a combination of factors including shortages in workshop capacity, a need for more trained technicians and poor parts availability.
“While our impression at Arval UK is the situation is beginning to ease a little on an industrywide basis, none of these problems are easily resolved and require long-term investment, so it is pleasing that fleet perceptions are improving.”
