Most fleets are not as uniform as the head office believes. Trucks bought in different years carry different generations of the logo, a few bakkies have been patched after accidents, and a handful of trailers were never branded at all. A fleet audit replaces assumptions with a record of what each vehicle really looks like today.
Our survey covers the whole fleet or a representative group, depending on size. The result is a vehicle register that feeds straight into your fleet quote and into every later rebranding or changeover job.
What we inspect on every vehicle
Each vehicle is walked around and inspected panel by panel. We look at body shape, paint and panel condition, door handles, rivets, corrugations, curtain sides, roller doors and any other feature that affects how vinyl will sit and how artwork needs to be split.
We also note what is already there: full wraps, partial graphics, old cut lettering, reflective strips, painted logos or leftover residue from earlier signage. That tells us whether removal is needed and how much preparation time to allow.
- Overall panel and paint condition, including dents, rust and previous repairs
- Existing graphics, their type, age and state of fade, cracking or lifting
- Surface features: rivets, ribs, seams, curved roofs, mudguards and wheel arches
- Fitted equipment such as ladders, cranes, tail-lifts, canopies and tracking units that interrupt a layout
- Licence disc, registration and fleet-number positions that must stay visible
Photographs and measurements
Every vehicle is photographed from all sides, plus close-ups of problem areas. Where the body shape is unusual we take key measurements so the artwork template matches the real vehicle and not a generic outline.
Photos are filed against the vehicle record, so the same images can be used for quoting, artwork approval and later comparison after installation. If you prefer to start remotely, you can send us vehicle photos first and we will tell you what an on-site survey still needs to confirm.
The vehicle register
The output is a vehicle register: one line per vehicle with its registration, fleet number, make and body type, depot, condition notes, existing graphics and what work is proposed. It is the document your fleet manager, procurement team and finance department can all refer to.
A good register also exposes the variations that cause delays later, for example three different tautliner makes in one fleet that each need their own template. Finding that at survey stage is far cheaper than finding it on the day of installation.
Where surveys take place
We survey at your depot, yard or branch so vehicles do not have to travel. Depot visits are subject to location, project size, site conditions and scheduling. For fleets outside Gauteng, surveys are done by our team travelling or through approved partners, confirmed at quotation. Visits to our Rivonia studio are by appointment only.
A typical survey day involves a surveyor, a camera, a tablet for notes and a site contact who can release vehicles one at a time. Vehicles that are out on the road are scheduled for a later pass or documented from photos you supply.
What you walk away with
After the survey you receive the register, the photo set and a recommendation for each vehicle group: replace, repair, remove only, or leave as is. From there the next logical step is a set of fleet design standards so every vehicle type follows the same rules.
At a glance
Fleet audits and vehicle surveys give South African operators an accurate picture of every truck, bakkie, van, bus and trailer before any branding is quoted. A fleet audit records body type, paint and panel condition, existing graphics, fitted equipment and the positions that must stay clear, such as licence discs. Each vehicle is photographed and logged in a vehicle register that becomes the working document for quoting, scheduling and later replacements.
Whether your vehicles are based in Johannesburg, Sandton, Pretoria, Midrand, Centurion, Durban or Cape Town, a vehicle survey exposes the differences that cause delays: mixed generations of logos, patched panels, old residue and unusual body builds. Surveys are carried out at your depot or yard where possible, subject to location, project size, site conditions and scheduling, with partner support outside Gauteng confirmed at quotation. Fleet managers, procurement teams and transport directors use the register to plan budgets, compare suppliers on equal terms and decide whether each vehicle needs replacing, repairing or only cleaning up. A thorough fleet audit saves time and rework later.
Common questions
Do you need to see every vehicle in the fleet?
For accurate quoting, yes, or at least one of each body type plus clear photos of the rest. Larger fleets are often surveyed in groups by body type so nothing is overlooked.
Can you survey vehicles at our depot?
Yes. We come to your yard or branch, subject to location, project size, site conditions and scheduling. Studio visits are by appointment only.
Can we send photos instead of a full survey?
Photos are a good starting point and let us give early guidance. A physical survey is still recommended before final quoting because condition and surface details are hard to judge from images.
Is the survey the same as a quotation?
No. The survey records the fleet; the quotation follows once we know the scope. Material choices, timelines and warranties are confirmed on your quotation.
What is in the vehicle register?
Registration, fleet number, make and body type, depot, photos, condition notes, existing graphics and the proposed work for each vehicle.