From tyre safety and vehicle maintenance to contracts and long-term business planning, Backhouse Jones recommends that spring offers removals and storage operators the right moment to make sure every part of the business is roadworthy and resilient.

As winter begins to fade and brighter days come into view, many operators will be turning their attention to the busy spring and summer period. But while the change in season can feel like a fresh start, it should also serve as a prompt to review one of the most important areas of compliance and safety: your vehicles. 

Colder temperatures, wet roads and potholes left behind by winter can all take a toll on tyres and overall vehicle condition. For removals and storage businesses, where reliability and roadworthiness are critical, this is a good time to take stock not only of vehicle maintenance, but of the wider compliance framework that supports day-to-day operations. 

Tread carefully 
Tyre safety remains a major issue for operators across all sectors. TyreSafe continues to promote awareness of the risks posed by defective and illegal tyres, while encouraging motorists and fleet operators alike to carry out regular checks on pressure, tread depth and general condition. 

As temperatures fluctuate and road surfaces deteriorate after winter, tyres may be more worn or damaged than expected. Simple checks, including monitoring pressure and using the 20p coin test to assess tread depth, can help identify problems early. Proper tyre maintenance improves road safety, reduces the risk of incidents, supports fuel efficiency and can help avoid premature tyre replacement. 

For operators, a robust tyre management system is not optional. It is an essential part of demonstrating effective maintenance control. TyreSafe reports that, on average, 153 people are killed or seriously injured every year in incidents involving defective tyres. It also estimates that more than 6 million tyres in the UK have illegal tread each year. Those figures are a stark reminder of how easily tyre safety can be overlooked, and how serious the consequences can be. 

The DVSA’s Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness, last updated in April 2025, sets out in detail what a robust tyre management system should include. It covers areas such as tyre age, safety inspection requirements and torque checks, all of which are particularly relevant after the harsher winter months. 

For businesses preparing for a new season of activity, now is the time to make sure tyre compliance is not simply assumed, but actively managed. 

Time for a spring clean? 
A seasonal reset should not stop at the vehicle walkaround. Spring is also the right moment for a broader compliance health check across the business. 

Before operations move into the busier months, operators should review whether their systems, contracts and maintenance arrangements are still fit for purpose. The key question is simple: would your business stand up to scrutiny if a compliance inspection or DVSA visit happened tomorrow? 

That means looking beyond tyre tread and brake performance. Vehicle Operator Licence undertakings should be revisited. Are maintenance intervals still realistic for the level of work being undertaken? Are tyre checks, defect reporting procedures and driver training current and consistently followed? Small gaps in process now can quickly turn into significant problems later. 

A proper spring audit should also extend beyond the workshop. Contracts of employment, supplier agreements and maintenance contracts all need periodic review to ensure they reflect how the business actually operates. Even informal changes to duties, hours or responsibilities can have legal consequences if they are not properly documented. 

The purpose of this exercise is not to tick boxes for the sake of it. It is to make sure the business has reliable, workable systems in place when they are needed most. Time invested in reviewing procedures now can prevent costly disputes, compliance failures and difficult explanations later. 

Succession and estate planning  
Spring can also be a useful time to look further ahead, particularly when it comes to succession and estate planning. 

Recent government changes to inheritance tax relief for agricultural property, including an increase in the threshold for 100% relief from £1 million to £2.5 million from April, have brought renewed attention to how family-owned businesses pass on assets to the next generation. Under the revised arrangements, farms owned by spouses or civil partners with a combined value of up to £5 million may be transferred without an inheritance tax charge. Above that level, inheritance tax will apply at a reduced rate of 20%, with up to ten years available to pay before interest is charged. 

While these specific changes relate to agricultural property, the wider lesson is relevant to transport operators and, in many cases, to the removals and storage sector too. Where business continuity depends on assets, premises and operational infrastructure being passed on smoothly, succession planning should not be left until it becomes urgent. 

This may be particularly important for removals and storage businesses that own warehousing or storage facilities. Without proper planning, the transfer of ownership can become complicated and may affect the future stability of the business. 

The start of a new season is often associated with fresh thinking and forward planning. For operators, that should include not only checking what is happening on the road today, but also considering how the business is protected for the future. 

For advice on regulatory compliance, vehicle maintenance systems, contracts or succession planning, contact Backhouse Jones. Tel: 01254 828 300 

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Photo: Spring is an ideal time for removals and storage businesses to prepare for the coming busy season.