The walkaround check is the cheapest safety system a fleet has. It takes two minutes, catches most roadside failures before they happen, and gives you a dated record that the vehicle was fit for use.
What the driver looks at
- Tyres: tread, pressure by eye, cuts, bulges and anything embedded
- Lights and indicators, including brake lights and reversing lamps
- Mirrors, glass, wipers and washer fluid
- Fluid leaks under the vehicle overnight
- Bodywork: new damage, loose panels, insecure doors and the load area
- Number plates clean and readable, and any livery undamaged
- Inside: brake feel, warning lights, horn, seatbelts and the handbrake
Reporting defects
Every check needs a result, including nil defect. A defect report should say what, where and when, with a photo if possible, and go to one named person who decides whether the vehicle stays in service. Drivers stop reporting when nothing happens, so close the loop visibly.
Making it stick
- Keep it to one page or one phone screen. Long forms get ticked without looking.
- Tie it to something drivers already do, like collecting keys.
- Spot check a handful each month and thank people who find things.
- Never punish a driver for reporting damage. You want to hear about it early.
New damage found?
Photograph it the day it appears and get an estimate straight away. Fresh scuffs and dents are usually a SMART repair; the same damage six months and one car wash later can mean a full panel refinish.
Grab our free driver walkaround checklist or find your nearest repair centre.