Maintenance matters: why it’s vital to keep your van in top condition

Keeping on top of maintenance costs is one of the more tiresome permanent jobs for fleet managers, but unfortunately it’s also one of the most important. With the current cost of living crisis, countless businesses are feeling the squeeze, and that means it can sometimes be tempting to skip out on servicing some vans if everything seems to be fine.

But while that might save a bit of money in the short term, it can have significant consequences in the medium-to-long term, and give rise to a whole host of further issues. Here at Van Discount, we’ve always taken care on providing you with the very best van deals, and like you, we want those vehicles to give you many years of reliable service. So here’s what it’s worth bearing in mind about keeping your van in tip-top condition!

Ensures reliability

An unreliable van is every business owner’s worst nightmare. A breakdown can be expensive and time-consuming in itself, as the business often has to put itself at least partially on hold to get the stranded driver moving again. That scenario can also have some worrying knock-on effects – missed deliveries or appointments can damage your relationships with partners and customers, and can ultimately end up costing you business. A well-maintained and reliable van can help you avoid those risks!

Preventative maintenance saves costs

While the costs of servicing might understandably seem too attractive at first (especially in the current climate), it can actually end up saving you money in the long run. That’s because regular servicing can help engineers spot emerging problems before they have a chance to develop into serious issues. When it comes to vans, it generally costs less to get the issue sorted early, before it has a chance to cause damage to something major like the engine, brakes or exhaust – any one of which has the potential to put your van completely out of commission until the problem has been comprehensively resolved.

Improves its fuel efficiency

This is one that it can often be easy to underestimate – a van that’s infrequently serviced can often end up costing you noticeable amounts in a poor fuel economy. That’s largely because crucial components air filters, oil filters and fuel filters can all suffer from a build-up of debris, which can clog them up and end up preventing them from working properly. These are all elements which get checked during even a routine service – so if you’re subjecting your van to a proper maintenance schedule, you can have peace of mind that you’re not spending any more than you absolutely have to on fuel (especially in the current climate!).

Improves its overall operational lifespan

You don’t need to be an expert to know that a poorly-maintained van is typically one that has a notably shorter operational lifespan than its more well-maintained counterparts. Essentially, if smaller problems are allowed to stack up and accumulate, they can eventually start to lead to bigger problems, and those can sometimes overlap with each other. For example, over a long enough period, blocked filters can put the engine under additional strain, as it has to work harder to achieve essentially the same output. Well-maintained vans, on the other hand, can sidestep cumulative negative effects like these – and as we’ve touched upon, that has the added bonus of making them more economical to run in the long term, too.

It protects the safety of your drivers (and keeps them happy)!

Even an interim service – the most basic type – will cover several safety-critical elements of vans, including brakes, tyres, and windscreen integrity. Bald tyres, worn brakes or cracked windscreens are all excellent examples of issues that can pose a serious threat to the safety of the driver, which means that regular servicing is an excellent way to ensure their safety. Plus, a well-maintained van is generally quieter and cleaner, as well as being easier and more pleasant to drive, so it can be less frustrating for any employees to get their jobs done too. What’s more, they can also share your peace of mind that they’re less likely to get stranded by the side of the road when they’re out on a job!

These are just a few of the top reasons suggested by our experts – you may well be able to think of one or two of your own! Of course, there may eventually come a time when you decide that certain vans are past the point when they can be effectively maintained, and may simply need to be replaced instead. That’s where we can help here at Van Discount. We always offer amazing deals on brand-new vans to cater to all your needs, including models by world-leading manufacturers including Ford, Peugeot and Renault.

We can save you an average of 40% off the standard rate of a new van, which can translate into savings worth thousands of pounds! So whether you’re a private buyer or a fleet manager, you can count on us to provide you with brilliant savings and a seamless buying experience. And if you’ve ever got any questions, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01282 872 530!