Fleet managers often view the full valet with paint correction as an unnecessary premium. The basic wash keeps vehicles looking acceptable — why invest more?
The answer lies in what “acceptable” costs you over time, versus what “excellent” saves you.
The Three Levels of Fleet Vehicle Care
Level 1: Basic Wash
Removes surface dirt. Vehicle looks clean temporarily.
- No paint decontamination
- No scratch or swirl mark removal
- No lasting protection
- Surface re-soils quickly
Level 2: Full Valet
Deep cleans exterior and interior. Vehicle looks properly maintained.
- Interior vacuuming, dashboard, seats, sanitisation
- Thorough exterior cleaning
- Some temporary protection (polymer residue)
- Lasts until the next significant exposure
Level 3: Full Valet with Correction and Ceramic
Restores, protects, and preserves. Vehicle maintains near-new condition long-term.
- Clay bar decontamination removes embedded particles
- Machine polish removes swirl marks and oxidation
- PureShield ceramic coating provides 12-month protection
- Full interior treatment including leather conditioning
- Vehicle condition fundamentally improved and protected
Why Level 3 Matters for Fleet Vehicles
The Residual Value Argument
At end-of-lease or disposal, vehicle condition determines financial outcome:
| Condition | Typical Impact per Vehicle |
|---|---|
| Level 1 care only | £500–£1,500 below book value |
| Level 2 care | £200–£500 below book value |
| Level 3 care | At or above book value |
For a 25-vehicle fleet, the difference between Level 1 and Level 3 over a three-year term represents £7,500–£25,000 in retained value.
The Paint Preservation Argument
Machine polishing (compound and refining) removes the damaged top layer of clear coat, revealing fresh, undamaged paint beneath. Ceramic coating then seals this fresh surface:
- Swirl marks eliminated (restored gloss reading)
- Oxidation removed (restored colour depth)
- Environmental damage reset (new protective baseline)
- Future damage prevented (ceramic barrier in place)
Without correction, damage accumulates. Each year adds swirl marks, etching, and oxidation that progressively diminish the vehicle’s appearance and value.
The Interior Preservation Argument
A full valet addresses interior deterioration that basic cleaning misses:
- Leather conditioning prevents cracking and maintains suppleness
- Fabric extraction removes embedded stains and allergens
- Dashboard UV treatment prevents fading and brittleness
- Sanitisation eliminates bacteria on high-touch surfaces
Interior condition at disposal is often the difference between minimal and significant end-of-lease penalties.
The Recommended Schedule
| Service | Frequency | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Basic waterless valet | Weekly–fortnightly | Maintenance cleaning |
| Full valet | Monthly | Deep interior and exterior care |
| Full valet + correction + ceramic | Annually or at key milestones | Restoration and protection |
The combination of frequent maintenance valets with periodic full restoration creates a compound effect — vehicles that maintain their condition year after year.
The Investment vs. Return
Annual Cost (25-vehicle fleet)
- Fortnightly basic valets: £22,750–£29,250
- Quarterly full valets: £5,000–£6,000
- Annual correction + ceramic: £2,500–£5,000
- Total annual programme: £30,250–£40,250
Annual Return (25-vehicle fleet)
- Avoided depreciation: £7,500–£25,000
- Avoided lease penalties: £10,000–£32,500
- Avoided paint repairs: £3,750–£12,500
- Avoided interior refurbishment: £5,000–£15,000
- Total annual return: £26,250–£85,000
The investment pays for itself — often multiple times over.
Getting Started
MMCC provides the full spectrum of fleet care, from weekly express valets to annual ceramic protection programmes. Every fleet is different, and every programme is tailored.