Fleet Advantage released a report that shows the impact aging trucks have on maintenance and repair and the savings fleets realize when replacing with newer equipment.

The report also provides various M&R data comparisons and actionable tips to lower maintenance and repair costs. It can be used by fleet executives to benchmark their fleet maintenance and repair data and determine how their vehicle lifecycle strategy impacts their overall operation.

According to a section in the report on lifecycle strategy, maintenance and repair costs on a 2012 sleeper model-year total $23,100, compared with $2,070 on a new, 2019 model-year truck, providing a savings of $21,030.

When fleets adopt a three-year lifecycle for their trucks, replacing with new technology in year four, they realize a savings of $42,830 in maintenance and repair calculated in years four through seven when compared to a fleet driving the same truck for the full seven years.

In addition to the sections above, the report outlines the following:

• In-depth breakdown of maintenance components and costs
• Additional “variable” maintenance costs, including technicians
• Opportunities to prevent maintenance and repair issues
• Understanding where shorter asset lifecycles benefit the bottom line
• Comparing costs of newer trucks versus older trucks
• Why newer trucks reduce maintenance costs

“A shorter lifecycle can benefit operational strategies since maintenance is more preventative on newer trucks rather than unpredictable breakdowns and recoveries,” said Michael D. Spence, senior vice president of Fleet Services for Fleet Advantage. “Additionally, newer equipment instills more confidence in the driver, and less stress in the cab reduces the number of accidents and incidents, while also increasing driver retention.”