The Importance of Regular Van Maintenance: The Do's and Don'ts
In this article, we look at why it’s important to regularly maintain your van, plus everything you need to know about van servicing.
- As a van driver, you’ll likely be carrying around heavier cargo than you would with a normal car. Not to mention traveling more miles on average.
- That’s why it’s important to make sure your van is properly maintained and safe to drive.
- Some of the regular checks you should make yourself include checking your tyres, testing your brakes, and topping up fluids.
Van maintenance. It all gets taken care of during your annual servicing, right? Wrong!
To properly maintain your van and keep it in the best condition, you should also practice regular maintenance yourself.
Read on for all you need to know about van maintenance, and how to service your van.
Why is van maintenance important?
Before we get into things, let’s think for a moment about why van maintenance is so important.
As your mobile office, your van is the tool that keeps your business moving. As such, you’ll naturally want to make sure it’s in the best condition possible. Some other reasons include:
- Retaining the resale value of your van and protecting against depreciation costs, which is important if you are leasing a van.
- Maximising your safety on the road and that of others.
- Avoiding costly repairs on the day of your MOT.
- Maintaining a good business image for your customers.
Whether you own the van yourself or lease it for your company, good van maintenance will help you to keep costs low. And get the most out of your van.
Differences between van and car maintenance
First off, it may be useful to understand how van maintenance and servicing differs from that of a car, as this is not the same for both.
While the actual process itself and costs for an MOT will be the same, there are some areas where a van will require extra care and attention.
For instance, vans are a more common target for thieves, with the assumption that they store expensive tools and equipment all the time. This means that you’ll need to regularly check your side and rear doors as these will see a lot of use day in, and day out.
Check for any visible signs of damage and make sure all your locks are secure. It also goes without saying that you should avoid storing your tools inside your van overnight if possible.
Another key difference between car and van maintenance is when it comes to tyres. Vans typically carry heavier cargo than cars, so their tyres will deteriorate faster due to the added weight. That’s why you’ll need to regularly check your tread depth and pressure, as well as make sure there is no visible damage.
Now we’ve outlined some of the key differences, what are the checks you should make when maintaining your van?
The Do’s and Don’ts of van maintenance
Here are some best practices for good van maintenance:
DO
- Check your tyres – the legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm, though it’s advised not to let your tread reach below 3mm. Make sure they are each at the correct pressure and inflate them if not.
- Test your brakes – as a vital component for safe driving, you’ll need to check both your foot and parking brakes and address any changes immediately.
- Check all lights are working – now and then, turn on your headlights, dipped lights, fog lights and so on to check they are all working.
- Check your fluids – make sure your brake fluid, engine oil, and coolant are all at the right levels, and check for any leaks.
- Check your dashboard warning lights – make sure the full beam, airbag, and ABS lights display correctly.
- Test your horn – make sure your horn is in working order so you can alert others of your presence.
- Check your battery – ensure all cables are secure with no visible signs of damage, and that your battery remains operational.
- Test your wipers – make sure your wiper blades are in good condition (squeaking, smearing or juddering means you need a replacement).
As for the don’ts:
DON’T
- Underestimate cleaning – by cleaning your van regularly, you can reduce the risk of rust building up over time and causing damage.
- Leave it all till your MOT – things like insufficient wiper blades can cause an MOT failure.
- Ignore changes in performance – if you notice any changes to your steering, braking, or engine sound, make sure to get this checked out right away.
- Accelerate or brake harshly – this can cause more wear on your van over time and make you use more fuel.
- Neglect your van in extreme weather – in harsher weather like snow and ice, make sure you have plenty of de-icer and all your winter essentials. Similarly, make sure your van doesn’t overheat in the summer.
Van servicing and maintenance at Vansdirect
Want to get the best for your van and your business? At Vansdirect, we have a whole service dedicated to van maintenance.
We offer a range of packages suited to your individual needs, to help you spread the costs of your maintenance. These start from just £20 per month plus VAT, giving you a budget-friendly way to look after your van.
When it comes to your MOT, we’ll help you find your nearest approved garage to complete the inspection. We’ll also help you arrange collection or delivery of your van in a way that suits you for added convenience. You can read more about van MOTs in our helpful blog.
Some of the things included in our van servicing and maintenance packages include:
- 24-hour assistance with our driver helpline
- Access to over 16,000 approved garages nationwide
- All servicing, maintenance, and repairs
- MOT tests
- Breakdown assistance
- Tyre replacements
- Free courtesy van (subject to availability)
Sound good? Learn more about the different options available for maintenance.
More than just high-quality new vans
At Vansdirect, we’re motivated to help thousands of businesses across the UK find their perfect new van. Our finance options like Hire Purchase and Contract Hire mean there’s nothing stopping you from finding the right van. Not even the cost!
Going one step further, we also help you to get the best for your business. Our other services like racking and security, fuel cards, livery, and insurance allow you to take care of everything under one roof. All with the help of our trusted industry partners.
We hope you found this article useful and feel ready to maintain your van the right way! Looking for a new van? View our latest van leasing deals below, or for any questions, get in touch with our expert team.