4 of the most common – but avoidable – van repairs

Even the most carefully-driven van is going to need a check-up every now and again – it’s exactly why MOT tests exist, and why it’s such a good idea to get cars in for regular servicing. That’s especially true when it comes to commercial vans like the ones you’ll find in our best van deals, since they’re often used on a near-daily basis for particularly intensive applications. And while minor issues can indeed sometimes pop up, you and your team can still generally avoid some of the more annoying issues simply by ensuring that everyone is driving your vans carefully. Here are some of the most common problems that can be avoided through sensible driving!

Clutch burnout

Clutch burnout can occur if you regularly rest your foot on the pedal, or hold it at the bite point for extended periods. In stop-start traffic, some drivers ride the clutch out of habit, using it to creep forward without fully engaging the gear. Others do it unintentionally while waiting at lights or crawling in congestion. On steep hills, many drivers keep the van steady with a half-engaged clutch instead of using the handbrake, which gradually grinds down the friction plates. All are very common habits, but they can all rapidly increase clutch temperature and wear.

If you or your team are working in urban areas with frequent junctions and slow traffic, you can be especially prone to this issue. So instead of relying on the clutch to control movement, it’s best to fully engage or release it wherever possible, and use the handbrake during long stops or on hills.

Gearbox wear

Gearbox wear can often be caused through aggressive gear changes and poor shifting habits. Slamming the gear lever through the gate or shifting without properly matching engine speed can place enormous stress on the internal synchros and bearings. Some drivers skip gears under load to save time or fuel, which shocks the gearbox and strains the drivetrain. One particularly easy habit to fall into is resting your hand on the gear lever between changes, which essentially pushes pressure through the selector forks that should remain static when not in use.

So, to extend the life of the gearbox, it’s a good idea to take care that none of your team are guilty of any of the above – everyone needs to use the clutch fully, and let the revs drop to an appropriate level before selecting the next gear. By the same token, mechanics also recommend removing hands from the lever between shifts to avoid unnecessary load on the linkage system.

Warped brake discs

Brake discs can be warped by applying heavy braking from high speeds or dragging the brakes over long descents. Equally, leaving your foot resting lightly on the pedal downhill can cause constant friction and heat buildup. When discs overheat repeatedly, they begin to lose shape, creating vibration under braking and uneven pad wear. Motorway miles followed by harsh urban stops often trigger the issue in vans that carry regular loads or tow trailers.

Vehicles that tend to be particularly affected by the issue tend to be delivery vans and trade vehicles with fixed routes that include steep gradients or traffic-heavy junctions. Happily, it’s not too difficult to prevent disc warping – all you need to do is brake firmly and decisively when needed, then releasing the pedal to let the brakes cool. Ideally, you’ll also need to downshift on long descents instead of leaning on the brake pedal for prolonged periods. Fleet operators who brief their drivers on correct braking technique often see longer disc and pad life across their vehicles.

Shock absorber damage

Shock absorbers can be easily damaged when the van strikes potholes or speed bumps at speed, especially while carrying heavy equipment or tools. That can often be caused by failing to take the road conditions properly into account, which results in driving over rough surfaces without slowing down. That causes the dampers to compress violently and overextend repeatedly. Every hard impact shortens the life of the suspension system, and heavy loads amplify the strain by increasing the force applied to each corner of the van.

If you or any of your team work as builders, electricians, and mobile technicians, they’ll need to take particular care, as teams who operate in urban, rural, and construction environments often find that road surfaces can vary drastically. Reducing speed before every obstacle and avoiding unnecessary kerb strikes can go a long way to preserving suspension for far longer. Load planning also plays a major role – spreading equipment weight evenly across the load bay reduces the pressure on individual wheels and prevents suspension fatigue.

Those are just a few of our top tips – you may well be able to identify a couple of areas for improvement on your own! And of course, if you ever find that the repairs on your existing vans are racking up to make serious impacts on your balance sheet, you might even want to consider replacing them entirely. That’s exactly where we can help here at Van Discount. We’re the top choice for the very best cheap van deals, and supply a range of models including Citroen, Ford, Fiat and Vauxhall. We’ve even been able to save some customers up to 30% off the RRP of selected models!