30 Jul Myth #1: Leasing companies are my best source of fleet data

When it comes to managing a corporate car fleet, data should be your most powerful asset. But not all data is created equal – and not all sources are working in your best interest. One of the most common misconceptions we hear is that leasing companies are the best (or only) source of fleet data. Here’s why that belief can put your strategy at risk.

Whose Data Is It Anyway?

Leasing companies do provide data; but it’s their data. It reflects their perspective, their priorities, and their commercial model. What you receive is often fragmented across suppliers, inconsistent in format, and shaped to align with their objectives, not yours.

You wouldn’t accept supplier-led insight in other critical parts of your business, so why do it with your fleet?

If your reporting is built solely on what your leasing providers give you, you’re likely missing:

• A complete view across all suppliers
• Benchmarking data across suppliers
• Real-world usage patterns
• Total cost ownership insights beyond the lease contract

The result? You’re making big decisions with only part of the picture.

The Risk of Supplier-Led Decisions

When fleet data is filtered through a leasing company, your strategic control is diluted. Their business model is built on volume, not necessarily optimisation. So while their reporting might help with contract-level queries, it’s rarely set up to challenge inefficiencies or highlight better alternatives.

This creates a dangerous blind spot: decisions that feel informed but are actually skewed. Over time, this can result in higher costs, missed opportunities, and a fleet strategy that serves your suppliers more than it serves you.

What Independent Oversight Unlocks

Independent fleet management flips the model. Instead of relying on what your suppliers choose to share, you gain access to holistic, unbiased, and connected data across every element of your fleet.

This means:

• Full visibility across all leasing and OEM relationships
• Centralised data you can trust and act on
• Insights aligned to your goals  – whether that’s cost reduction, ESG, or policy compliance
• The power to drive supplier accountability, not dependency

At Fleetworx, we believe that when you own your data, you own your strategy. Independent oversight isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s the foundation for high-performance fleet management.

Ask Yourself…

• Are you confident in the accuracy and completeness of your fleet data?
• Do your reports challenge your suppliers, or simply echo them?
• Is your strategy being shaped by what you need, or by what they want you to see?

If these questions leave you uncertain, it might be time to rethink your approach.

Take Back Control

Let’s be clear: leasing companies play an important role. But relying on them as your primary source of fleet insight is like letting your vendors run your board meetings. Smart fleet leaders know that real value comes from independence, clarity, and control.

Want better data? Let’s talk about what independent fleet oversight could mean for your business.

Contact Graham Rees for an informal chat