Testing brake efficiency is a crucial part of regular fleet maintenance. It is recommended to use a calibrated roller brake tester during safety inspections to evaluate braking performance and document brake efficiencies. However, many fleet operators choose to outsource this critical task, which can lead to reduced vehicle availability and increased testing costs.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) advises operators to test their brakes using a roller brake tester at least four times a year. For instance, if a fleet consists of three vehicles, one vehicle needs to be taken to a testing facility every month. Furthermore, the vehicle should be loaded for the brake test unless it can be tested unladen, ideally at a minimum of 65% of its total maximum weight.
Minimise Administrative Tasks
When considering the task of scheduling vehicles for testing, it is essential to integrate this into the fleet’s operational schedule. This involves ensuring compliance with loading requirements and establishing a process for retaining brake test documentation alongside vehicle inspection records. Such considerations can make the task quite challenging.
The operator also needs to secure an available driver to transport a vehicle to the workshop for testing. Additionally, one must consider fuel costs and a typical axle test charge of £20. When all these expenses are taken into account, the annual cost of testing a single vehicle can approach the £500 mark.
With assistance from Muller Automotive, purchasing a commercial vehicle brake tester may be more straightforward than you initially thought. Companies with smaller fleets can expect to recoup their investment in approximately 24 months, especially by using the equipment to conduct a few third-party fleet tests.
The benefits for fleet operators can be substantial. Our BTA/HGV commercial vehicle roller brake tester allows operators to build a comprehensive fleet database. It automatically records vehicle test results, significantly reducing the administrative burden of maintaining a manual records system.
Enjoy Easy and Convenient Testing
Quickly testing a vehicle is highly beneficial as it minimises downtime for the trailer, tractor, and driver while avoiding third-party fees. Regular brake testing not only helps prevent system failures and on-road issues but also serves as a crucial safety measure. By diagnosing brake binding and ovality problems early, you can effectively schedule preventive maintenance. Promptly addressing binding brakes, which can lead to overheating and wheel bearing damage, significantly reduces the risk of on-road failures, costly emergency repairs, and delivery delays.
The BTA/HGV unit offers numerous advantages. It features powerful 15kW motors, a soft-start option, and an eight-sensor axle weighing system integrated into the roller bed. This system allows for the automatic calculation of brake efficiency, making it user-friendly for operators. It can be operated by one or two people using a remote control or via a PC. Users can choose between automatic and manual modes, and operators can create a vehicle database for accurate record-keeping.
With our HGV brake tester, leasing options are available, allowing you to spread the cost over five years. By offering third-party testing services, you can leverage your investment and potentially have the equipment pay for itself in about two years. Continuing to provide brake testing services to third-party operators can cover the ongoing maintenance and calibration costs of the brake tester. This means that after two years, the provision of brake testing almost pays for itself.
By conducting brake tests in-house, you can avoid sending a driver and vehicle to an external test centre, thereby increasing the vehicle’s availability for work. Contact us today to learn how a Muller Automotive brake tester can benefit you and improve your control over your fleet.