By the time you have shortages it is too late. The best way to prevent shortages is to plan your spares requirements properly. The easy items are service spares, wear parts, and then components in relation with expected life. If you have a crisis because you did not do this then you buy what you need that has the shortest lead time and shortest repair time. This combined time should be the criteria you use to plan your way out of the crisis. While you do this start you pre planning process to prevent future shortages.

Focus on Safety: Always start with parts that if missing could compromise the safety of the vehicles. Think brakes, lights, or anything that’s crucial for safe operation. Stay Legal: Make sure you’re not falling foul of the law by keeping up with parts needed for compliance with any regulations. Keep Things Moving: Look at which parts, if missing, would cause the most disruption to your day-to-day operations. Prioritize these to avoid bottlenecks. Wear and Tear: Some parts just wear out faster than others due to regular use. Keep a close eye on these and reorder before you run out. Watch Your Wallet: Consider the cost implications. Delaying some parts might be more expensive in the long run if it leads to vehicles sitting unused.