Businesses across the North West are facing significant financial and operational disruption due to van breakdowns and mechanical issues, according to new research from Mercedes-Benz Vans.
The study found that UK businesses lose an average of £1,172.20 for every day a van is off the road, highlighting the critical role commercial vehicles play in keeping local economies moving.
The findings suggest vehicle downtime is a widespread issue for businesses across the North West. In the North West, 41% of van owners experienced unexpected mechanical downtime more than six times in the last year, while almost a third (31%) said their most recent breakdown left them off the road for a week or longer. For businesses that rely on vans to serve customers and generate income, prolonged downtime can have a significant impact on productivity, revenue and customer satisfaction.
The findings raise concerns for thousands of businesses across the region that rely on vans every day, from tradespeople and construction firms to delivery operators, maintenance providers and service businesses.
For many smaller businesses, the loss of a single vehicle can have an immediate impact on earnings, customer service and workloads. Businesses operating between one and nine vans report average losses of £780.50 per day when a vehicle is unavailable.
Beyond the financial cost, downtime is creating wider challenges for business owners and employees:
- 41% of businesses report increased stress
- 33% experience workflow disruption
- 24% receive more customer complaints
- 18% worry about losing contracts
With many SMEs already facing rising operating costs and economic uncertainty, prolonged vehicle downtime can mean missed appointments, delayed deliveries, cancelled jobs and lost income.
Simon Neill, Operations Director at Mercedes-Benz Vans UK, said:
“A van isn’t just a van. It carries people, products, services and promises. When a vehicle goes off the road, the impact is felt across the whole business. Our focus is not only on repairing vehicles quickly when something goes wrong, but increasingly on preventing issues before they happen.”
The research also found that 88% of businesses believe they would feel more confident about future growth if they had the right support behind their vans, underlining the importance of minimising disruption and keeping vehicles operational.
For businesses across the North West, eStar Truck and Van, a Mercedes-Benz Vans and Trucks franchise partner, is helping customers reduce downtime through a range of aftersales solutions designed to keep vehicles on the road and businesses operating efficiently.
These include:
- Van Uptime Monitor, helping identify potential issues before they become major problems
- Mobile Servicing, bringing Mercedes-Benz technicians directly to customer sites
- Service24h, providing 24/7 roadside assistance and emergency support
- MobiloVan breakdown cover
- ServiceCare maintenance plans for predictable servicing costs
With locations in Knowsley, Trafford Park, Stoke and Deeside, eStar Truck and Van continues to support businesses across the region with proactive maintenance, expert aftersales care and services designed to maximise vehicle uptime.
For more information about eStar Truck and Van, please visit www.estar.ltd.
Ends
Notes to Editors:
eStar, established in 2020, is owned by Daimler Truck Own Retail Europe, with locations across, Deeside, Knowsley, Stoke-on-Trent, and Trafford Park.
As a Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle dealer, eStar is well-placed to serve the business and lifestyle community across all aspects of owning and maintaining trucks, vans, coaches, and buses.
With extensive experience across electric and alternative fuels, the team at eStar is committed to supporting customers every step of the way along their journey to delivering greener products, services, and people.
For press enquiries, please contact Caroline Burnell, Head of Marketing and Communications at eStar, via 07876 217056 or caroline.burnell@estar.ltd.