The British Vehicle Rental & Leasing Association (BVRLA) is set to launch a new online motor manufacturer safety recall system in 2012 in conjunction with Ebbon-Dacs and the Operator Services Agency (VOSA). The new system will provide a single location for all car manufacturers to list their safety recall notfications.

The BVRLA hopes that companies that run vehicle fleets and motor manufacturers will be able to test the new service during the pilot stage in May 2012, with an aim to launch by August 2012.

The Ebbon-Dac’s web-based system will also allow BVRLA members to input their own fleet data which can be compared to the recall information so that a report can then be produced to highlight any outstanding recalls.

In the meantime, if you want to search for car recalls you can do so via the VOSA website from the link below;

http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/default.asp?tx=VOSA

Van operator

TyreSafe, the not-for-profit organisation dedicated to raising awareness of defective or worn tyres, is warning light and commercial operators about overloading their vehicles. The latest VOSA effectiveness report has shown that LGV overloading increased from 66.9 percent in 2008/9 to 72.7 per cent in 2009/10.

TyreSafe is concerned that if van operators do not compensate for this by adjusting tyre pressures accordingly, then the tyres will wear out quicker, fuel consumption may increase and the safety of the vehicle may be compromised.

In order to help van drivers and operators understand the importance of tyre safety, TyreSafe has just launched a new dedicated van tyre safety section on its website. This includes hints and tips as well as a free downloadable van tyre safety leaflet.

The website is www.tyresafe.org

Toyota, in conjunction with VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency), has announced some voluntary recalls on some models of the Avensis and Lexus IS 250. All drivers of the affected vehicles will receive a letter which advises the procedure for taking their vehicle into an authorised Toyota or Lexus repairer, for the rectification work to be carried out.

Toyota Avensis

The issue affects 2.0-litre and 2.4-litre Avensis petrol models produced between July 2000 and September 2008 and relates to potential concerns with the fuel system in the vehicle. There are two concerns affecting these vehicles, namely a possible cracking of the fuel pipe after a long time and the second concern is related to potential insufficient tightening of the fuel pump check valve.

There are approximately 15,500 UK registered Avensis vehicles that are affected and the work to rectify the issues should take between two and four and a half hours to complete, at no cost to any customer.

Lexus IS 250

The issue affects certain Lexus IS 250 petrol engine models produced between August 2007 and February 2009 and is related to the fuel pressure sensor.  The fuel pressure sensor could loosen (or in rare cases leak) due to possible insufficient tightening of the sensor.

3,100 UK registered cars are affected by this recall and again the repair should take either one hour to complete or up to three hours if the gasket needs to be replaced. All works will be completed at no cost to the customer.

Toyota’s Managing Director commented,”We are committed to putting the customer first and have a total focus on the quality of all our products. We will liaise with our customers to carry out the repair procedures as efficiently as possible, with minimal disruption”.

Toyota has also confirmed that there has been no reports of any accidents related to either condition.

VOSA

With all the recent press around Toyota recalls for the Prius, it is quite easy to check whether your vehicle is subject to a manufacturer recall via the VOSA website.

A new Car Recall Useful Information page has also been updated onto the site today to help site visitors understand the process and how to report a safety defect on their vehicle or to check if there is an outstanding issue on their car.

Used Car Expert magazine has commented that with some Peugeot and Citroen models also sharing the same accelerator part as Toyota, and also in need of correcting, that manufacturer recalls also need to be included as part of any vehicle service history.

Magazine editor Matthew Turnbridge said,”The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VoSA) tells me that 9.36% of vehicles or components recalled last year never got repaired.  While this shocking statistic includes stolen vehicles and motors that have been scrapped or written off, what it does mean is that there’s a huge number of cars out there that haven’t had a faulty part fixed – for one reason or another, owners have not answered the recall”.  

If you ever want to check the state of play with any manufacturer recalls campagins then you can search at the VoSA site@ http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/default.asp . One of the added value benefits of having a maintained leased car is that the leasing company will usually be told by the manufacturer about any recalls and will notify you accordingly.

When you lease a new car or van, the MOT is not due until the vehicle is three years old, so the MOT appplication process may not apply to you. However if your leased car is over three years old, or you have extended your contract rather than ordering a new vehicle, you must ensure your car has a valid MOT.

The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) has now decided to publish MOT failure data following a campaign by BBC journalist, Martin Rosenbaum. The information will show you how often different makes and models of cars and vans fail MOTs, which could prove useful to you when choosing your next vehicle.

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has just launched the 48th edition of their Yearbook of Road Tranport Law 2010. If you are a commercial fleet operator and run HGVs or other commercial vehicles and vans, then this book should keep you fully informed on all aspects of road transport legislation, health and safety and duty of care.

The 2010 yearbox has been written by a team of FTA experts and includes details of the new fixed penalty system introduced in May 2009 and used by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) and the police in roadside enforcement. The 2010 Yeabook costs £37.00 for FTA members or £79 for non-members with discounts for multiple copies. The FTA also publishes Van Drivers’ Handbook and the Dangerous Goods Drivers’ Handbook.

Visit www.shop.fta.co.uk to order.

TyreSafe, the non-profit organisation dedicated to raising awareness of the dangers of defective and worn tyres, has launched a new truck specific section to its website. MoT failures for HGV’s was recorded at 36.5 per cent in 2007/8, as reported by VOSA, with failure due to defective tyres being the second most common defect.

The new web pages are located at www.tyresafe.org and includes guidance and advice on the importance of tyre pressure, tread depth, wheel alignment, regrooving and tyre disposal, together with details of the common causes of tyre damage and wear. A free truck safety handout can also be downloaded off the site with top tips for correct tyre truck maintenance.

Since the Health and Safety Offences Act came into force in January 2009, UK courts how have much greater authority to prosecute businesses for committing offences such as fitting illegal tyres and the maximum penalty is a £20,000 fine. Drivers are also under pressure from VOSA, to ensure they are driving with legal tyres, with drivers risking roadside fines of up to £200 per offence.

Tyre safety is an important factor for any company running a fleet of vehicles, whether you run cars, vans, buses, trucks or other HGV’s.