Top tips to prepare your van for the summer months

Getting your van ready for the summer

With summer rapidly approaching, now is the perfect time to prepare your van for the warmer months ahead – particularly if you’re planning a long-distance business trip or adventure. Take a look at the following van tips and be ready for every eventuality. You can never be too prepared!

  • Give your van a good clean
  • Check your oil
  • Check your tyres
  • Check your brakes
  • Keep essential in your van

If your van took a battering during the winter months and looks a little worse for wear, be sure to give it a good clean – inside and out. Not only will this keep your vehicle looking spic-and-span but it will also prevent future problems such as rusting. Rainwater can make its way into nooks and crannies and this can lead to erosion. Similarly mud, dust and debris can wreak havoc with the delicate mechanics, so it’s better just to stay on top of cleanliness.

When it comes to van advice and basic maintenance tips, you must check your oil on a regular basis – preferably every 6-8 weeks and always before setting out on a road trip that’s more than a couple of hours. If you’re new to the van scene and are slightly unsure how to go about this – don’t worry. It’s really easy. All you need to do is make sure the van is parked on a level surface and that the engine is cool before taking out the dipstick, wiping it and putting it back in the oil to check the levels. If your oil needs topping up, do so before embarking on your next journey.

With so much to do on a daily basis, it can be easy to forget all about the tyres on your van, but this is potentially a huge safety hazard.If your tyres are in poor condition and the tread is not the right depth they may need replacing. Similarly, if you’re driving along with tyres at the wrong pressure they could blow out and take you by surprise, so always check tyre pressure against the recommended pressure chart compatible with your particular vehicle.

Please note, if you’re carrying heavy loads, your tyre pressure will need to be adjusted accordingly.

Brakes need to be – and stay – in tip-top condition for obvious reasons. If you drove a lot during the winter months – particularly in snowy or icy conditions –there’s a good chance that your brakes may have worn down. This could lead to an accident, so always check for visible damage and see a mechanic if you’re worried. And, if you notice your brakes aren’t performing well when out on the road, always seek professional advice.

When the mercury rises, it’s a good idea to keep summer essentials in your vehicle – just in case you break down. These might include suncream, sunglasses, bottled water and other equipment that will keep you safe if you’re stranded on a hot day. It’s also wise to have all breakdown assist numbers stored on your phone.


Knowing all this now you are ready to go on a hunt for your next van. Check our available stock for many different types of pre-owned commercial vehicles.
Panel vans, minibuses, pick-ups, and tipper vans from the biggest makes are all available at great prices.

If you'd like to test drive one of the used vans for sale, have a look at our website to see what we have for you, and call us at our Essex dealership on 01279 216163. Ask us about our vans on finance and van contract hire offers too.