Businesses leasing cars and vans without maintenance could see a number of benefits from a new off-the-shelf SMR solution available to leasing companies.

The pay-as-you-go solution offers an online vehicle maintenance booking, authorisation and billing tool.

Launched by Epyx as part of its 1link Service Network platform, the product offers an online vehicle maintenance booking, authorisation and billing tool, connected to a national network of garages.

Developed on a pay-as-you-go basis, the tool enables fleets to benefit from pre-agreed labour rates and parts discounts negotiated by leasing companies as well as the ability to manage all work online and approve or decline any recommendations made by garages.

Leasing companies offering the tool can benefit from increased revenue as well as enhanced customer retention.

Explaining that up to a third of leased vehicles on fleets are run without maintenance, Tim Meadows, Epyx commercial director, said: “By offering a maintenance solution for these clients, leasing companies will be able to give control to the customers and build an ongoing relationship.

“Importantly, as well as accessing a new revenue stream, the new product provides a greater opportunity to retain these customers at end of contract whilst protecting the vehicle residual value.”