Breakdown business Millers Recovery has taken delivery of two Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans, its first two from the latest generation of Sprinters, which have joined its fleet of four other vans, heavy breakdown trucks and low-loader trailers.
Supplied by dealer Ciceley Commercials, one of the new arrivals is a 3.5-tonne 314 CDI variant with 141bhp, four-cylinder engine. The other is a 519 CDI with range-topping 188bhp V6 and gvw uprated from the standard 5.0 to 5.5 tonnes.
Both are based at the operator’s headquarters in Longton, near Preston, and allocated to technicians who undertake roadside and on-site repairs to commercial vehicles and plant, as well as static generators.
The more powerful of the two Sprinters is now the fleet flagship and was kitted out to a spec designed by driver Guy Horner (pictured). This includes livery with colour-coded grille, mirrors and bumpers, alloy wheels, chrome trims and Trafficlear beacons and lightbars with solar charging capability.
The interior features racking by Bott, and fixtures such as a 3,000W invertor and compressor system, as well as a diagnostic bench.
The latest Sprinter includes 4G internet connectivity, Mercedes Pro Connect vehicle management and MBUX infotainment system.
“I’ve been racking up the miles in my van and it’s a real pleasure to drive,” says Horner. “The MBUX voice control is fantastic, and really makes my life easy. For example, I can operate the satellite navigation simply by saying ‘Hey Mercedes’, and telling it where I want to go. This means I can concentrate on my driving, without having to look at the screen, saving a lot of time and hassle.
“Our vans came with top quality standard-fit alarm systems and deadlocks, too, which has saved us something like £1,000 per vehicle by negating the need to install aftermarket equipment.”
The Sprinters will be maintained by Ciceley Commercials under Mercedes-Benz ServiceCare plans.
Author
Laura Cork