Epyx is aiming to recruit more garages to its 1link Service Network in order to handle an increase in the average age of vehicle on the e-commerce platform.

Currently, there are 18,000 garages of different types providing service and maintenance providers through the platform, including franchise dealers, fast fits and independents.

David Goodyear, Epyx commercial director, said: "The fleet car and van parcs are gradually aging and have been doing so since around the time of the financial crisis. 1link Service Network reflects this.

"Having an older average vehicle profile changes the demands that fleets make in terms of our network. Essentially, we need more of them, with a wider range of services and a wider choice.

"This means that we are keen to hear from any garage who is not already a member of our service provider community and is interested in joining - whether franchise, fast-fit or independent."

1link products cover functions including vehicle procurement, maintenance, hire, disposals and relicensing in the fleet industry. 1link has been adopted by fleets totalling a parc of three million vehicles around 18,000 service providers, and motor manufacturers on behalf of their franchise dealer networks.