And the figures, which are taken from analysis of customer reports from some of epyx’s largest fleet customers, are believed to be around half the typical figure of a decade ago. 

David Goodyear, head of business development at epyx, said: “These figures are not really an indication of any slide in efficiency on the part of fast-fits but a reflection of the huge range of tyres fitted to modern cars. 

“It would be nearly impossible for a fast-fit centre to carry all the stock needed to cover the majority of the current car parc, such is the diversity of size and manufacturer. 

“But it is a development that is bad news for the customer. A company car or van customer pulling into a fast-fit is more likely than not to have to come back when stock is delivered, which is a waste of time for them.” 

Goodyear said that the statistic was one of the reasons that epyx had launched Tyreserve, a new e-commerce service designed to help franchise dealers compete with fast-fits for fleet tyre business. 

“A franchise dealer is at an advantage in that they are only expected to carry tyres for their own vehicles, which is usually a reasonably limited range. 

“If they choose to carry a reasonable selection of stock, then they should be able to comfortably beat the first-time-fit figures being achieved by fast fits.”