For the majority of van owners, whether they use their vehicles for domestic or commercial purposes, van servicing can feel like just another financial outgoing that you’d be better off not footing the bill for. But what if we told you that neglecting to pay for a van service could cost you more in the long run? A problem that’s not picked up on early enough could cause more serious and more expensive problems further down the line.
Skipping a scheduled van service doesn’t just postpone an invoice, but it compounds wear, voids warranties, undermines safety and can even lead to legal and operational consequences in more severe cases. The aforementioned will be far more costly to rectify or manage than simply undergoing a service for vans. With this in mind, let’s break down the true cost of skipping a service for vans in this article.
Hidden wear becomes complete failure
A service for vans will highlight any problems that currently exist in and around your vehicle. Finding the problem early enough can help prevent more expensive repairs and replacements further down the line. When it comes to van services, there are a few specific things that will be checked, including lubrication and fluid levels, and filter and ignition components. Let’s take a look at those elements of a van service in further detail.
Lubrication & fluid levels
Every service for vans includes the checking and replacing of essential fluids, such as engine oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, coolant and more. While this depends on the tier of van service you’re having, it’s always recommended that you go for the most in-depth van service to cover all bases.
You might be wondering why fluid levels are so important for the smooth running of your van. Well, the aforementioned fluids will help to reduce friction, prevent overheating and protect internal components effortlessly. If those fluids are changed or topped up in time, then they can become contaminated, therefore losing their protective properties.
As a result, internal wear occurs, and damage to the engine is increased. What could have been a reasonable amount for a van service, you’re now having to foot the bill for between £1000-£4000 as a result of engine repairs or several replacements, like brakes. Instead, book your van service today with the expert team here at VanServ.
Filters & ignition components
Air, fuel and cabin filters will trap debris over time. Under the bonnet, houses spark plugs and ignition coils, both of which ensure combustion efficiency. As such, neglecting to replace or look after those elements will lead to poor fuel economy, increased emissions (which could cause MOT failure), misfires and reduced power. Over time, this puts stress on the engine and the exhaust system as a whole. As already touched upon, a van engine repair is extremely costly. Avoid this by simply having a van service from us here at VanServ today.
Risk to life & license
There’s a hidden cost associated with not having a van service that goes beyond that of money. It’s something that money simply cannot buy. This includes the potential to lose your license altogether or to even lose a life in the worst possible scenarios. Having a van service will help to preserve both of those things.
The safety systems on a van will be inspected during a van service by way of a health check. This will point out any issues with things like brakes, steering, suspension, tyres, lights and electrical checks. In turn, you get the chance to rectify any problems before they become dangerous. Let’s take a closer look.
Brakes
Brake inspectionsduring a van service catch pad wear, disc damage and fluid contamination. A neglected van may show few symptoms until it’s too late. Worn brakes can increase stopping distances, cause brake failure and result in accidents. Brake repairs after a failure or an accident can exceed £500, depending on the make and model of your van and the components that need to be replaced.
Steering, suspension & tyres
Servicing ensures wheel alignment, tyre pressure, tread depth and suspension integrity. Ignoring these can cause uneven tyre wear, poor handling and great fuel consumption. Replacing tyres prematurely and repairing suspension damage can cost a considerable amount of money when compared to a simple van service that will ensure everything is in working order.
Lights & electrical checks
Daytime running lights, indicators and brake lights are checked during a van service, which is handy because if any of the aforementioned fail, it can increase the chance of an accident and even lead to fines or failed MOTs. If you’re found to be driving around without your lights working, whether they be headlights, rear lights, brake lights or indicators, then you could be pulled over by the police and have your license revoked if you’re a serial offender.
Financial consequences
We’ve touched on the potential human and lifestyle cost of not having a van service, but let’s move on to the financial implications of not having a van service. Not only could neglecting to have a van service mean higher costs to repair or replace systems, but it can also lead to poor fuel economy, unexpected breakdown fees and even increased running costs overall. Here are the financial consequences of not having a van service in more detail:
Fuel economy decreases
A well-serviced engine runs more efficiently. Dirty air filters, old oil and underinflated tyres will cut fuel efficiency by up to 10-15%. For a van with high mileage, that could mean several hundred pounds a year lost at the pumps.
Increased running costs
Small inefficiencies will soon add up. This can include things like poorly lubricated parts wearing faster, misaligned wheels increasing tyre wear and old spark plugs burning more fuel (as already touched upon). These costs aren’t optional, unfortunately. They’re cumulative and predictable if van servicing is something that’s ignored.
Unexpected breakdown fees
A neglected van will often mean it breaksdown more often. But it’s not just an inconvenient side effect of not having a van service; it’s expensive. It could cost up to £3 per mile for van towing, and that’s without any other fees associated with breakdowns. It can be even more expensive if you don’t already have cover in place.
This is especially the case for out-of-hours or overnight calls. It could also mean booking hotel rooms for the night, lost time and lost money as a result of not being able to do your job, if you’re a tradesperson. For businesses, these costs multiply quickly and can often impact clients, the community and even your reputation.
Legal & compliance costs
There are multiple benefits of van servicing from us here at VanServ. But most of the time, having a van service isn’t optional, especially when you have warranties to maintain, insurances to keep in place and MOTs scheduled. Let’s take a look at how having a van service can keep legal and compliance costs down.
Voiding manufacturer warranties
Most new or leased vans have warranty terms requiring scheduled servicing at specified intervals. Skipping services can void engine, transmission and drivetrain coverage, as well as leave you fully liable for expensive repairs. For vehicles that are under lease or finance agreements, failing to comply with servicing standards may breach contract terms – possibly leading to penalties.
Insurance risks
If a collision occurs and your insurer finds the van poorly maintained, you may face denied claims, pay higher premiums or even lose your no-claims bonus. Insurers increasingly scrutinise maintenance records after accidents have occurred in order to better determine negligence.
MOT & inspection failures
In countries with mandatory safety inspections, a badly maintained van is more likely to fail, therefore requiring immediate repairs before you can legally drive again. Those repairs frequently cost more than routine servicing.
Business impact
If your van breaksdown or is rendered unsafe or even fails its MOT, then you cannot use it. This is more of a blow for tradespeople as they experience downtime, reputation deterioration and loss of productivity. Let’s take a more detailed look at the impact a non-serviced and neglected van can have on someone’s business:
Unplanned downtime
For businesses relying on vans, a breakdown often means delayed jobs, idle staff, rescheduled jobs, customer frustration and reputation deterioration. Downtime isn’t just about financial cost; it’s also about lost opportunity and word of mouth suggesting you’re unreliable.
Reputation damage
We’ve briefly touched on reputation damage, but it can be more devastating than you might have otherwise thought. Inconsistent service due to vehicle unreliability harms perceptions. A tradesperson arriving late or not at all can lose repeat business, referral and even huge contracts that need to be finished within a certain timeframe.
Fleet complexity
For businesses managing multiple vehicles, one breakdown strains the whole operation. Replacement hire, disrupted schedules, overtime costs and costs associated with having to stay overnight at temporary accommodation can soon add up, eating into your hard-earned profits.
Environmental costs
An improperly serviced van emits more pollution due to incomplete combustion, poor fuel filtration and malfunctioning exhaust components. This isn’t just environmental. Some regions penalise high emissions with fees, congestion charges or access restrictions, like London or even Birmingham. To avoid all of this, the answer is simple. Have your van serviced by us here at VanServ today.
The experts here at VanServ specialise in van maintenance. This includes van servicing, replacing van engines, clutches, gearboxes and more. Alongside van services, we can also provide remapping and key cutting and programming services. Essentially, we’re your one-stop shop for all things van-related. Whether it be an air-con regas or a suspension inspection, and everything in between, you’ll always be able to rely on the experts here at VanServ. For more information about how we can help you today, get in touch with a member of our friendly, professional team – we’re always pleased to hear from you.