Home assistance provider HomeServe has added 16 Mercedes-Benz Vito Compact vans to its fleet.

The company, which offers a range of services including plumbing, drainage, electrics and heating through its nationwide network of approved engineers, runs a fleet of just under 1,000 vans.

The 16 Vito Compacts means Homeserve has now commissioned more than 150 Vito models since last year.

It also took 33 larger Sprinter 314 CDIs in 2016 and has added a further 26 in 2017, with another 29 still to be delivered before the end of the year.

The Vito 109 CDIs are powered by 1.6-litre engines with 88PS outputs which drive the front wheels, and offer returns of 45.6mpg in the combined cycle.

Racked out by Telford-based QI Van Systems to carry tools, spare parts and accessories, they have all been allocated to plumbers.

HomeServe head of fleet John Finn said: “Our business believes that if we get things right for our people, they will get it right for our customers and the rest will take care of itself.

"This includes making sure everyone has the right tools to help them do their job well, which is particularly important for our engineers, who carry out over one million jobs every year.

“The move to Mercedes-Benz means we can get our vehicles maintained and repaired overnight by its dealers, while we also benefit from excellent breakdown support.

"This, coupled with the inherent reliability for which the Sprinter and Vito are renowned, and our engineers’ feedback, all led to us choosing to work with them."

The Vito vans are being supplied by Marshall Truck & Van and funded through contract hire agreements with sole leasing provider Arval.