For all you who use your van as a part of your business or maybe you own a fleet of vans as a part of your company, you know it can be quite costly with tax, fuel, insurance and maintenance. So, it essential for any van owner or businessman to do everything they can to keep the van running costs low and here is what you need to do…

Choose the right van for you.

The number one way to keep your van running costs down is to choose the correct van for your business’s and personal needs.

When it comes to choosing the perfect van, you need to ask yourself the following questions:

• What van body type do you need?

• How big does your load area need to be?

• Could you downsize to a smaller van model?

• How many passengers will you be driving with?

• How many doors do you need? What type of rear doors would you prefer?

It is worth looking at the general running costs of some of your favourite makes and models before buying. Typically, smaller vans have lower running costs but are sure to check the reviewed fuel economy of certain models.

Insurance.

Insurance is usually the biggest running costs of a van so choosing the correct policy is so important. Different companies will offer good, basic insurance policies but you really to consider what else your van insurance needs to cover. If you are transporting goods or leaving tools in your vehicle overnight, you will need a policy that covers the contents of your van too. If your van is for your business, you need to make sure your insurance covers you in all aspects, so you aren’t faced with a big bill!

You should also consider trying to get an insurance policy that includes your breakdown cover as it will be cheaper instead of buying it separately. But if your van is for your business and you are heavily dependent on it, arranging breakdown cover should be a high priority.

Road Tax.

You should consider the amount of emissions vans release before purchasing because the lower the emissions on your van, the cheaper your road tax will be. So, if an electric van is an option for your business, you can knock high road tax costs off your running costs!

Fuel.

Fuel is a major van running costs so make sure you only choose a large van if you really need one and if you need a smaller van to consider buying an electric van to reduce your overall costs. An electric van would be very beneficial because petrol and diesel prices keep rising recently.

Changing your driving style is the key to becoming fuel-efficient and keeping your fuel costs down. If you focus on driving smoothly and avoiding harsh braking and fast accelerating, you will save more on your fuel as you will be filling up less.

All drivers should know that underinflated tyres can increase fuel consumption dramatically. So, as a business, keep an eye on your van’s tyres to ensure you aren’t wasting money it will also make your vans a lot safer.

Servicing and Maintenance.

If your business vans do a lot of miles, you need to look out for long service intervals when choosing your van. You need to consider which van is going to be the most reliable and will be off the road for the shortest amount of time, so you don’t lose money within your company.  Manufacturers are starting to focus more on the speciality services they offer. So, look at what different manufacturers offer whether that’s a courtesy van or a 24-hour service centre.

There is no point in investing in a van and paying monthly and annual running costs if you aren’t going to look after it, so do regular checks, drive sensibly, keep your van clean and invest in extra security for your van.

Check out our Top tips for keeping your van in the best condition!

Follow our advice and being costs conscious will help you get the most out of your van for less!