LCV servicing: An opportunity to seize with both hands, Euro Car Parts says

Colin Cottrell, LKQ Euro Car Parts marketing director, talks LCVs

LCV servicing: An opportunity to seize with both hands, Euro Car Parts says

Zoom quizzes and social distancing are things of the past, but the shift towards online shopping during the pandemic shows no signs of being reversed.

In fact, consumers have become so demanding that so-called quick commerce, or q-commerce, is now becoming the norm, with near-instant on-demand deliveries. The UK q-commerce market is now worth a whopping £1.5billion, according to IGD.

This need for speed is only made possible thanks to our national network of light commercial vehicles (LCV), there to fulfil increasingly rapid delivery timescales.

As more and more delivery drivers were needed in the early stages of the pandemic, SMMT figures showed that LCV sales rose significantly. But the latest stats paint a different picture.

In these challenging economic times, sales are levelling off – but online shopping demand isn’t going anywhere.

This means that drivers are more likely to be keeping their vehicles for longer, creating a huge opportunity for the independent aftermarket.

Keeping the UK moving

LCVs have emerged as the lifeblood of the UK economy – meaning time spent off the roads is costly. Any downtime must be kept to a minimum to support profitability, particularly in the current climate where fuel efficiency is critical. But they also work far harder than the average vehicle.

Jumping from delivery to delivery means their engines are working almost constantly, with start-stop activity over shorter distances leading to accelerated engine and electrical wear.

We’re encouraging every garage to champion LCV servicing and help keep these key vehicles moving. Simple steps like promoting your offering on social media or on your garage website lets LCV drivers know how and where they can access reliable vehicle care.

Proactively contacting customers who may have services due is also another key way of driving new business. In fact, given how hard LCV engines are worked, a 12-month service interval is sometimes too long due to extra wear and tear.

So, offering customers regular health checks means any potential issues can be nipped in the bud before components fail completely, saving drivers from costly breakdowns or repairs further down the line – and building trust in your garage.

Crucial components

There are a few key components technicians should check as standard whenever an LCV comes through their workshop doors.

LCVs regularly carry heavy loads, meaning suspension parts, shocks and springs often need replacing sooner than would be expected in an average vehicle. It’s also a given that the transmission of a delivery vehicle, with the added loads and frequent start / stopping, has a hard life, and will require replacement much earlier than a passenger car.

Technicians should also always check cabin filters. Covering more miles and often sitting in traffic for extended periods of time, filters can become clogged or blocked much faster than standard passenger vehicles. Over time, this can present a risk to driver health, too, due to a build-up of spores, bacteria and pollen.

By demonstrating awareness of the importance of LCV servicing, the aftermarket can play a huge role in keeping the UK’s delivery drivers on the move, as well as helping to secure loyal customers.

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