VAN NEWS

PRIVATE PLATES If you are travelling abroad with your van, third party cover is the minimum level of insurance you require to comply with the laws in each of the EEC countries.  Many insurance companies now include this level of cover as standard; it’s important to note that third party cover offers minimal protection and …

TAKING YOUR VAN ABROAD If you are travelling abroad with your van, third party cover is the minimum level of insurance you require to comply with the laws in each of the EEC countries.  Many insurance companies now include this level of cover as standard; it’s important to note that third party cover offers minimal …

TOP 5 STYLISH VANS Commercial vans have come a long way over the past few years not just in terms of their safety features and fuel efficiency but also their aesthetic appeal and style. With many van owners now making use of their vehicle for both work and personal use, the major manufacturers have come …

GUIDE TO CHOOSING THE RIGHT VAN ENGINE Which size van engine should I choose? Looking at vans can often seem confusing, you have chosen the van that suits your needs it’s comfortable to drive and at the price that suits your budget but it’s available in 2 engine sizes with different PS values. When you …

1. Ford Fiesta Van Econetic 1.6 TDCi – 85.6 mpg 2. Fiat Punto Van 1.3 Multijet 85 S/S – 80.7 mpg 3. Vauxhall Corsa Van 1.3 95 Ecoflex – 78.3 mpg 4. Peugeot Bipper Van SE HDi 75 S/S EGC – 68.9 mpg 5. Fiat Fiorino Cargo Van 1.3 Mjet C’matic – 67.3 mpg Top …

PLUG IN VAN GRANT ANNOUNCED It was announced this morning that the government’s plug-in car grants scheme is to be extended to include electric vans. The Government is prepared to spend £900m over the next 3 years to promote the use of ultra-low carbon vehicles. It’s hoped that this push will help to establish the …

What is London’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ)? London’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ) and how it may affect you The London Low Emission Zone scheme (LEZ) was first introduced on February 4th 2008 and covers most of Greater London. It was setup to help London meet its European Union (EU) air pollution obligations by reducing roadside …

VAN BULKHEAD & RACKING SAFETY Vans have become an essential tool for many businesses whether it’s for transporting heavy cargo, for use as a mobile office or for carrying tools when out and about with customers. Whatever the use for many employees having a van is an essential means of transport where often tradesmen and …

THE BENEFITS OF WINTER TYRES FOR YOUR VAN When the winter months come in the UK the temperature drops and most of us will change our clothing and footwear to something that gives better protection against the weather. We top up our van engines and windscreen anti-freeze, get out our scrapers and de-icer and then …

ADVICE FOR DRIVING YOUR VAN IN SNOWY WEATHER Driving in icy or snowy conditions can be extremely dangerous and requires extra precautions to ensure that your trip is as safe as possible. When the roads are icy you need to keep your van speed right down and drive at the appropriate speed for the road …

Glossary of Van Terms There are many terms used when displaying a vans specification which can be very confusing, the van glossary below should help clear some of the confusion you may have had for van terms. ABS (Antilock Brakes) – Prevents the wheels from locking which would cause the van to skid out of …

Top 12 Van Drivers Fuel Saving Tips With fuel prices at a record high we all need to squeeze as many miles per gallon as we can out of our works van, so below are 12 tips that should help you to get just that bit extra from your fuel. 1. Be a smart shopper …

How to Select the Best Van for Your Business When it comes to choosing a new van for your business it can often seem a very confusing task. There are so many makes and models available that the choice can seem endless and very difficult to make. If your business needs a van its likely …

3 Things to be aware of when leasing a van When you lease a van or car there are a few things its worth being aware to make sure that your vehicle leasing experience goes as smooth as possible. Maintenance packages When you lease a van or car you are in effect hiring the van …

Choosing a van configuration Most van manufacturers offer their vehicles in a range of configurations to suit varying business needs and the loads they are likely to carry. Whatever your requirement there is a van to suit your needs. Luton vans A Luton van is normally constructed as a separate body on a chassis cab; …

Buying a used van tips When you buy a used van from a dealer it needs to be fit for purpose and accurately described which is a legal requirement and protects the buyers from false claims by the dealer. You will also likely get some kind of warranty with your van whether its for 3 …

Danger of overloading a van All vans and light commercial vehicles are assigned a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) which is the maximum allowable weight of the vehicle. This includes the weight of the driver, any passengers, personal possessions, tools, fuel and the load being carried. If there is uncertainty of a van’s load weight the …

Driving safely in wet weather In the UK we are so used to driving in wet weather that we often become complacent about safety. This is one of the reasons that such a high percentage of accidents take place on our roads because we simply don’t adjust our driving habits and take any changes in …

The top 5 reasons to lease a van Why consider a van leasing deal? Improve the business cash flow When you lease a van you have an agreed fixed monthly charge which can include servicing and maintenance of any work required to keep the vehicle road worthy. With a fixed monthly payment for the duration …

Understanding Tyre Markings All tyres have information marked on the outside of the tyre outlining the tyre manufacturer, type/design, the maximum weight the tyre can carry, maximum load pressure, speed capacity etc. The information is there to enable us to select the right tyre for our vehicle. A typical example of markings found on the …

Frost Free Windscreen Ten popular ways to de-ice your windscreen Ten of the most common methods used to combat the problem of frozen windscreens on cold winter mornings. 1. Boiling Water – Most car windscreens are made from laminated glass which is made up of 2 layers of glass with a layer of PolyVinyl Butyral …

Driving in France If you are Planning a trip to France there are a few things you need to consider. What documents do I need? Driving Licence – It’s advisable to take the pink part of your driving licence which contains photo identification as well as the green paper part of the licence which outlines …

Falling asleep at the wheel Just like drink or drugs, tiredness at the wheel is a major contributor for driving related accidents. A lack of sleep will slow your reaction time, impair your judgement and decrease your awareness of what’s going on around you, which increases your chances of having an accident. The UK Department …

Removing oil and grease stains from your vehicle If you are in and out of your van in work boots and overalls it’s easy to get oil and grease stains over your van carpets and seats, which can gets onto your clothes when take your overalls off. In the unfortunate event of this occurring the …

Unleaded v Super Unleaded When you fill up with Unleaded at your local forecourt you are usually offered a choice of 2 kinds of petrol, premium or super unleaded. These super petrol’s are sold at most petrol stations and come under different names, Tesco has Super Unleaded 99, BP- Ultimate Unleaded and Shell – V-Power. …

CHOOSING A SAT NAV GPS Many vans now come with GPS sat nav as standard or as an optional extra, which can make getting from A to B a much simpler less stressful task. If you don’t have sat nav installed and are considering getting one there are a number of questions you first need …