There are more commercial vehicles on our roads than ever before, according to recent figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The growth is largely driven by vans, with 5.1 million now traversing UK highways and supporting businesses both large and small.
However, the SMMT also found that out of the 10,800 vans stopped at the roadside each year, 88.5% were overloaded, 63% had serious mechanical defects and 50% would have failed their MOTs. As these issues could land you with a hefty fine, a painful repair bill or worse, we thought it would be a good idea to take a look at how you can avoid them by making sure your van is safe and road-ready.
Ensure your tyres are legal
Tyres that are underinflated, have a tread depth that’s less than 1.6mm or are in a poor condition can be dangerous on the road (and could land you with 3 points on your license and/or a fine of up to £2,500 per tyre). So, it’s essential to make sure that yours are up to scratch.
First off, we’d recommend the Halfords Digital Tyre Pressure/Tread Gauge. It allows you to easily check both your tyre pressure and tyre tread depth so that you instantly know what you’re dealing with. Pocket-sized, this handy gadget even comes with a chain so you can attach it to your keys and always have it with you. Ideal for quick checks before your MOT, daily work route, or even a long road trip, it’s the perfect gift for any driver.
If you find yourself in need of a tyre pressure top-up, then the Halfords Rapid Digital Tyre Inflator will make short work of bringing your tyres back up to the right level. It takes less than 2 minutes to do the job and uses its automatic cut-off feature to prevent overinflation. It’s also portable and compact, so that you can pop it in your glove box for tyre inflation support on the move.
If you’re looking for something with a bit more muscle, then the Michelin Programmable 12V Digital Tyre Inflator is designed to handle stubborn flat tyres. It delivers powerful inflation in just 3 minutes, while the quick-release connector ensures secure attachment. It’s well worth having a tyre inflator on board, especially if your vehicle is part of your workspace!
Finally, if you’d like a professional opinion on your tyres, then drop into your local Halfords garage for a Free Tyre Check. We also offer a range of replacement tyres at great prices and can fit them for you too, either at the garage or on your drive, thanks to Halfords Mobile Experts.
Get your brakes and steering checked
We probably don’t need to stress why this one’s essential for keeping yourself safe on the road. Thankfully, Halfords have you covered here – and you don’t even have to shell out any of your hard-earned cash!
Our Free Brake Check takes 60 minutes to cover the 6 key areas of your vehicle’s brakes. One of our experienced technicians will then be able to advise you if they spot any issues that need resolving. It’s a similar situation with our Free Steering Check, where a technician will check your steering and suspension to ensure everything’s operating properly.
If any repairs are required, they’ll be able to provide a no-obligation quote free of charge. All Halfords work is covered with a 2-year or 24,000-mile guarantee, whichever arrives first, for peace of mind. So, get your van booked in for a free appointment today!
Know your loading limit
Although it may seem like a shortcut, overloading your van will make it more difficult to handle and may wear down your brakes and suspension. It could even land you with a hefty fine (at the very least). Knowing your van’s loading limit is important to preventing worn tyres and further damage, and keeping your goods or tools secure.
Illuminate the road
Driving at night already brings certain challenges, so why create more for yourself? Ensuring your headlights are balanced (i.e., that they produce the same amount of light) and in good working order will help to keep you and other road users safe.
We’d recommend the H7 477 Car Headlight Bulbs twin pack. They won’t break the bank and provide up to 25% longer life than a basic bulb. They’re developed to manufacturers’ standards for reliable performance and are suitable for 12V vehicles. We’d always recommend that you replace your bulbs in pairs to save your time and money!
Just remember to double-check that they’re compatible with your particular make and model of van before you buy. In fact, why not use our online vehicle registration number checker to make the process even simpler?
If you’d like a hand with the bulb fitting, we’ll be happy to help with our bulb fitting service. Simply select the fitting option during the checkout process or pop into your local Halfords store for more advice.
Top up those essential fluids
Brake fluid, engine coolant, engine oil and power steering fluid are some of the key fluids that you need to keep an eye on. Having the correct fluid levels will help to ensure your van operates smoothly. You can check them pretty easily by just popping your bonnet and eyeballing the min/max lines.
If you find you need a top-up, then the Halfords 5W30 N5 Motor Oil is a good pick for engine oil. You receive a five-litre bottle with an easy-pour spout and a fully synthetic oil that’s suitable for Ford Transit vans. If you’ve got a different make and model of van, then check out our full range of engine oils to find the right one for you.
For brake fluid, try the Comma DOT 4 ESP. It’ll protect and prolong the life of your braking system, can be safely mixed with DOT 3 and DOT 4 specification oils, and is ideal for all ABS systems for performance and safety.
Check your battery health
Your battery is the heart of your van, and its condition can be the difference between a successful journey and a painful false start. So don’t get caught out! Book in for a FREE Battery Health Check to get a professional opinion from one of our experienced technicians.
Where a new battery is needed, we’d recommend the Halfords EFB096 Car Battery for the start/stop vans out there – just remember to double-check that’s it’s compatible with your van first by using our online vehicle registration number checker.
The Halfords EFB096 comes with a five-year guarantee, allows up to 270,000 engine starts, and we’ll be happy to fit it for you at our stores, garages, or via our Halfords Mobile Experts. You can choose the fitting option that suits you during the checkout process.
Non-stop/start vans have a whole host of other batteries to choose from. Simply enter your registration number to find suitable types for your van.
Keep your vision clear
The British weather is notoriously up and down, which means we can expect plenty of rain each year… Worn-out windscreen wipers and an empty screenwash reservoir can make driving in the wet more difficult than it has to be – and potentially more dangerous too.
Like with the fluids we mentioned earlier, you can check the level of your screenwash by simply popping open your bonnet. If your windscreen wipers have picked up that tell-tale squeak or they’re missing areas on your windscreen, that’s a clear indication they need to be replaced.
Our top screenwash is the Halfords -10 Ready Mixed Screenwash as it has a clever formula that’ll clean your windscreen and prevent your washer jets from freezing in the winter months (as an added bonus, it has a fresh berry fragrance!). All you need to do is pour it straight into your screenwash reservoir and you’re ready to drive.
With wiper blades, it’s all about the Halfords Flat Wipe Single Blade FW31. It uses an aerodynamic design, multiple pressure points and a tensioned metal strip for uniform and efficient wiping, and a connector for easy fitting. We can also take the hassle out by fitting it for you if you choose the option during the checkout process.
As always, just make sure you enter your registration number online first to check that the wiper blades are suitable for your van.
Plan your route
Car sat navs have always been a handy way to plan your route, navigate and avoid traffic jams, but these days there are specific models for vans, LGVs and HGVs that can do so much more. By entering the weight and height of your vehicle, these clever devices can recommend routes that only include suitable roads. There’s no more worrying about narrow country lanes or low bridges… all you need to do is choose your route, sit back and let the sat nav do the work, while you concentrate on the road.
The Garmin Dezl LGV610 6” Truck Sat Nav is a next-gen truck sat nav with impressive features to make driving your van or truck easier. It comes with full Europe maps (plus a lifetime of free map updates), route planning for suitable break and overnight stop locations, Bluetooth live traffic and weather updates, a 6-inch touchscreen, voice recognition, and much more!
It’s a sat nav that’s been designed with van and HGV drivers in mind to better your daily journeys.
And there you have it: our top tips for keeping you and your van safe while you’re out and about. Of course, one of the ultimate ways to ensure that your van is roadworthy is to get an MOT and we can help there, with our standard MOT (suitable for cars and vans) and our Class 7 MOT (for goods vehicles).
For all your motoring needs, you want Halfords.
