How do I check an auto parts store’s delivery vehicles and driver routes?

Fast delivery is often why garages choose a parts store, so look at it as a service and a cost. Start with the fleet. For each vehicle, note its age, condition, service record and whether it is owned, financed or leased. Walk around a few of them, and ask the drivers about problems they see. Ask who handles maintenance and whether fuel and repair costs are tracked per vehicle.

Then study the routes. Ask for a typical week’s schedule, the usual stops and the time each run takes. See whether certain customers account for most runs, and whether late deliveries are logged. A route plan that exists only in one driver’s head is a risk if that driver leaves.

Meet the drivers if the owner allows, and ask how the team is scheduled, trained and paid. A store that struggles to keep drivers will have service gaps. Check the insurance on the vehicles and the driving records the store keeps. Your insurance broker can say how coverage works on a change of ownership, and your lawyer can explain employment and vehicle obligations. Compare delivery cost with the customers it keeps, and ask whether a lower-cost option such as pickup would satisfy them.

Key takeaways

• Catalogue each vehicle’s condition, upkeep and ownership or lease status.
• Review route schedules and record how late deliveries are handled.
• Ask how drivers are trained and retained, and review insurance with your broker.