Is an In-House Vehicle Wash Bay Worth It for Your Fleet?

Many fleets pay an outside company to wash their vehicles. It feels simple, and it saves you from building anything. But as your fleet grows, the bills grow too. Before long, you may have spent more on outside washing than a vehicle wash bay would have cost.

Here is why more workshops are choosing to build their own vehicle wash bay and keep their fleets in good shape.

Your fleet will look professional

Every vehicle you own is a moving advert for your business. It carries your name and branding across the country, and people notice what it looks like. Customers judge your fleet in the same way they judge your website, your premises and your staff.

A dirty fleet sends the wrong message. A clean one shows that you care about the details and run a tidy operation. With a vehicle wash bay on site, you can keep every vehicle looking its best without waiting on anyone else.

Your vehicles will last longer

Looks are only part of it. Dirt and grime do not just sit on a vehicle. They speed up corrosion and wear on the paintwork, the finishes and the parts underneath.

The chassis suffers most. The underside collects most of the mud and road grime, and it also holds many of the vehicle’s key systems. If that area is not cleaned properly, small problems can turn into costly repairs.

That is why many workshops pair a vehicle wash bay with a lift made for wet work. Our G9DC Wash Bay Mobile Column Lift is built for this job. The galvanised versions of our Y-MECH lift and our Heavy Duty Four Post Lift are other options.

With the vehicle raised safely in the bay, your team can see and reach the underside and clean it fully. Regular, thorough cleaning helps to limit damage and keeps repair costs down.

Your drivers will be safer

Commercial drivers already deal with heavy loads and long journeys, which can lead to tiredness. A dirty windscreen, dirty mirrors or dirty lights add extra strain, and that can raise the risk of an accident.

A clean vehicle helps in two ways. Your driver can see the road more clearly. And clean, bright headlamps and lights help other road users see your vehicle too. Your drivers are more aware, and so are the people around them.

Cleaning also helps your team spot damage, leaks and wear early, because problems are much easier to see on a clean vehicle.

You will save money and time

Outside washing costs more than the wash itself. Your vehicle and driver are off the road while they travel to another site. They use extra fuel on the way, and they have to fit around someone else’s schedule. That is time they could spend earning money for your business.

With your own vehicle wash bay, you get more from what you already pay for. You already cover your premises, your staff, your water and your utilities. There is little reason to also pay another company’s costs and profit for the same job.

After the upfront investment, you can wash vehicles as often as you need. You can plan washing and maintenance around each vehicle’s quiet periods, so there is no lost work. And because the bay uses your own site and utilities, you stay in control of the costs.

Plan your drainage and wastewater

A wash bay needs careful planning. Wash water can carry oil, fuel residue and road grime, so it must be drained and treated correctly. The government publishes pollution prevention guidance for businesses, which is a good place to start before you design your vehicle wash bay. It is also worth checking with your local water company and the Environment Agency about which rules apply to your site.

Need help choosing equipment?

We supply a full range of lifts made for the wet conditions of a wash bay, from mobile column lifts to fully galvanised heavy duty lifts. If you are ready to plan your own vehicle wash bay, our workshop experts can help you get the most from it. Call us on 0121 585 2724 or email sales@totalkare.co.uk.