Preventative Maintenance in Ireland: What Operators Need to Know
If you run any commercial vans or trucks in Ireland, you’ve probably heard the term preventative maintenance more than once. And while it might sound like another commercial vehicle testing box to tick, it’s actually one of the simplest ways to avoid breakdowns, cut costs, and stay on the right side of CVRT rules.
At Argent, we offer the full range of CVRT testing, compliance plating, and more, and we create blogs like this one to educate readers on what to expect. We trust you’ll find this one just as illuminating as the many others we’ve brought you.
So, What is Preventative Maintenance?
Preventative maintenance means looking after your vehicles before something goes wrong. That means checking things regularly, not just waiting until your CVRT test rolls around. As such, most of the time, it boils down to two things:
Daily walk-around checks (done by the driver)
Scheduled inspections every few weeks, usually every 6 to 12, depending on mileage and use
Daily checks are quick and simple—lights, tyres, fluids, anything obvious. The scheduled ones are more detailed, checking brakes, suspension, steering, and anything else that could land you in trouble if left too long.
Also, it’s not only good practice, but also a legal requirement. The RSA is very clear: keeping your vehicle roadworthy is not just about passing a test once a year; rather, it’s about how you look after it the rest of the year, too.
Why It’s Worth Doing Properly
A lot of people only find out they’ve got a problem when they fail an LCV or HCV CVRT test—or worse, when they break down on the side of the road. That’s when small problems become big ones, and cheap fixes turn into expensive ones.
By keeping to a proper maintenance schedule, you stay ahead of issues, cut downtime, and avoid nasty surprises. It also shows enforcement officers and inspectors that you’re taking things seriously, which goes a long way if anything ever does crop up.
Argent Equipment: Helping You Operate Safely & Cost-Effectively
Staying on top of preventative maintenance is one of the most effective ways to keep your vehicles safe, compliant, and out on the road. It’s an approach that can help in reducing downtime, cutting costs, and making sure you’re never caught off guard.
If you’d like to find out more about how Argent can help with scheduled inspections and fleet support, visit us today atwww.argent.ie. Or call us on 01 572 6500 and one of our team will be happy to help.