Skip to main content

Mercia Fleet Management

Get in Touch
Get in Touch
Mercia Fleet Management Backs Local Garages cut costs and downtime

About Author

Andrew Leech Founder and Managing Director Mercia Fleet Management

Andrew Leech

I’ve been greening company fleets for over a decade. Ready to solve your fleet puzzle?

View All Posts

Local Garages Keep Fleets Moving: Mercia Fleet Management Champions Independent Garages Over National Chains

Local Garage Networks Save Fleets Time, Money, and Stress, Says Mercia Fleet Management
Businesses looking to reduce fleet maintenance costs and vehicle downtime should ditch the one-size-fits-all approach of national chains in favour of local independent suppliers, says Mercia Fleet Management, the dedicated fleet division of EV salary sacrifice leader Fleet Evolution.

“Local independents offer faster, more personalised service and often at lower cost,” said Andrew Leech, Managing Director at Fleet Evolution and head of Mercia Fleet Management.

The Problem with National Chain

While large, franchised dealer networks might seem like the obvious choice for fleet maintenance, they often come with standardised pricing, limited flexibility, and hidden extras.

Worse still, inefficiencies in these national systems can lead to prolonged vehicle downtime, with some fleet vehicles out of action for up to six weeks, causing severe operational disruption.

This is especially problematic in sectors such as care services, where vehicles are often specially adapted and fall outside routine service scopes used by franchised garages.

A More Effective Fleet Maintenance Strategy

Mercia Fleet Management takes a proactive approach by working with a handpicked network of local independent garages and tyre suppliers. These suppliers:

  • Offer more flexible pricing

  • Can often source tyres or parts same-day

  • Provide bespoke servicing for non-standard vehicles

  • Are not bound by rigid national policies

  • Go the extra mile to ensure turnaround time is minimised

“We inspect vehicles up to every three months to catch issues early. This reduces unscheduled maintenance and cuts costs,” Leech explained.

Looking to Solve Your Fleet Puzzle?

That's what we're here for. Let us know what you need and we'll find the missing piece.
Get in Touch

The Tyre Truth: Local Beats National

Tyres are a key example of where independents outperform the big brands.

“Even with national accounts at Kwik Fit and ATS, we often get better prices and faster service through local tyre specialists,” Leech added.

Benefits of local tyre suppliers include:

  • Wider stock availability across more tyre sizes

  • Faster turnaround times, often same-day

  • All-in pricing, avoiding hidden fees for disposal, valves or balancing

  • Better responsiveness and customer service

Advice for Fleet Managers: Don’t Assume Bigger Is Better

“Just because a supplier is national, doesn’t mean it’s the best option,” said Leech. “We always explore local options for our clients, and it often results in faster repairs and less downtime.”

This local-first approach is just one way Mercia Fleet Management solves the fleet puzzle for businesses across the UK, saving time, reducing operational risk, and optimising costs at every step.

Reach Out!

Let’s make fleet management a little less puzzling. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to take your operations to the next level, we’d love to hear what’s on your mind and help you piece together the perfect fleet strategy.

FAQs

Here’s some of the most frequently asked fleet management questions.

Ask A Question

Why are local independent garages better for fleet maintenance?

Local garages often provide faster turnaround, more personalised service, and greater flexibility than national chains. They aren’t restricted by centralised pricing or limited stock and are more likely to go the extra mile to keep your vehicles on the road, especially for non-standard or adapted vehicles.

Can using local suppliers really reduce fleet downtime?

Yes. At Mercia Fleet Management, we’ve seen significant reductions in vehicle off-road time by working with local providers. Many can source parts or tyres same-day and prioritise urgent jobs, avoiding the multi-week delays often experienced with franchised dealer networks.

Are local suppliers more cost-effective than national chains?

In many cases, yes. National providers often advertise a low “lead-in” price but add hidden charges for valves, balancing, or tyre disposal. Local independents usually offer all-in pricing, better availability, and competitive rates without the surprise extras.