Irish trades-people rely on their van every working day. Making sure your van is safe on the road, free from avoidable downtime and protected against unexpected costs starts with a practical maintenance programme.
If you’ve just arranged cover with us and are wondering: What happens after purchasing a van policy? Our customer-care guide explains each step.
The step-by-step plan below blends everyday checks with scheduled services so you can keep your van roadworthy, protect load and livelihood, and save money in the long run.
Why Routine Inspections Protect Your Van
Routine maintenance consists of scheduled maintenance and fast visual reviews. A preventative maintenance system cuts wear and tear, reduces expensive component repairs and keeps commercial vehicle roadworthiness front-and-center.
Once you put in place clear maintenance schedules you spot small defects early, limit workshop time and prove the roadworthiness of your vehicle at CVRT.
Systems for the regular inspection and maintenance of vehicles work best when every driver knows the inspection interval that applies to their type of commercial vehicle.
Light goods vehicles used for heavy local drops need a 4 weekly inspection, while lower-mileage vans may stretch to six or eight weeks. Either way, a written maintenance checklist sits in the cab so everyone remembers each essential task.
1. Do a 60-Second Walk-Around Before Every Drive
The Road Safety Authority’s vehicle-safety checklist sets out a simple daily walk-around that highlights tire, light and fluid problems before you leave the kerb.
Following these steps each morning takes less than a minute yet prevents unsafe journeys and costly roadside delays:
- Tires – look for uneven wear, sidewall bulges or missing valve caps.
- Lights and indicators – make sure every indicator flashes and both headlamps illuminate.
- Ground – scan for fresh fluid leaking beneath the engine.
Before heading off on a job that involves a trailer, confirm your policy actually covers towing a trailer or caravan so you avoid nasty surprises if something goes wrong.
2. Check Tire Pressure and Tread Weekly
RSA tire-safety research confirms that pressures kept within the manufacturer’s range cut running temperatures and extend tread life, while 1.6 mm remains the absolute legal minimum across the full width.
We recommend checking the RSA Tyre Safety booklet [PDF] and match its pressure chart to the label on your door pillar for fuel savings and penalty-free motoring.
How to Check the Tire Pressure and Treads of your Van
Use a digital gauge, refer to the pressure on the door pillar and inflate cold tires to spec. Confirm legal tread depth of at least 1.6 mm across the full width - a €120 fine per tire awaits anyone who ignores it.
Finally, feel across the tread – feathering or bald shoulders suggest the wheels sit out of line and require immediate realignment to keep the van in a roadworthy condition.
3. Inspect and Top-Up Fluids Every Fortnight
Open the bonnet, locate the max/min markers, then check the level and colour of four lifeblood fluids:
- Engine oil – dark honey colour is normal; gritty sludge means book a service and check the oil level weekly until then.
- Coolant – pink or green glycol mix must sit on the max line when cold. Low coolant hints at a leak.
- Brake fluid – level should barely move between services; a drop points to pad wear or a hydraulic issue.
- Washer fluid – fill with premixed screen wash to protect the pump.
Always follow the vehicle handbook for grades because the vehicle manufacturer knows best.
4. Test Brakes and Steering Feel Monthly
During a quiet road run, perform controlled stops from 50 km/h. Listen for grinding, feel for vibration and stay alert for the steering wheel pulling to one side. Any change signals disc, pad or hose deterioration. Swift action keeps the operation of the vehicle predictable and prevents costly call-outs.
5. Replace Windscreen Wipers and Inspect Glass Quarterly
Streaks or juddering show the rubber blade has hardened; swap windscreen wipers immediately. While parked, examine the windscreen edge to edge, because tiny chips expand in cold weather and threaten MOT failure. Prompt chip repair costs very little yet keeps your windscreen strong and your van looking in good condition.
6. Service According to Mileage or Every 12 Months
A robust vehicle maintenance system follows the maker’s mileage guide or an every 12 months fallback if the van logs fewer kilometres. Contractors who overload light goods vehicles or tackle stop-start urban routes often need more frequent maintenance.
Many firms have decided to modify their maintenance schedule after tracking rising fluid consumption or rising downtime – an easy win for extended engine life.
7. Keep an Up-to-Date Maintenance Logbook
A paper or digital log proves that vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition. Record:
- Date of each regular inspection
- Defects found
- Repairs are required
- Repairs are carried out
- Next inspection date
This simple record satisfies CVRT officers and underpins any warranty claim arising from component repairs. A benefit of 123.ie is that you can quickly update your van insurance policy online so your cover always matches reality.
8. Clean, Wax and Protect Bodywork Against Corrosion
Washing your van removes road salt that attacks chassis seams. A twice-yearly wax coat seals the paint, while a quick squirt of cavity wax behind wheel arches halts rust before it starts. Keep the exterior smart and clients will associate your brand with professionalism.
9. Schedule a Professional CVRT and 4-Weekly Garage Check
Align your maintenance programme with the annual CVRT test and combine it with a safety check at your trusted workshop every four weeks if the vehicle is used for heavy-duty runs.
Garages spot structural issues hidden beneath the body, confirm torque on critical fixings and update you on any new maintenance requirements or recalls. That partnership helps ensure your van stays roadworthy and safe all year.
Roadworthy Readiness Checklist for Vans
- Tires – pressure set, no cuts, 1.6 mm tread.
- Brakes – no grinding, straight stop, pedal firm.
- Lights & indicators – all bulbs bright.
- Engine oil – correct grade, on max line.
- Coolant – coloured, to max, cap tight.
- Brake fluid – clear, at max.
- Windscreen – chip-free, no scratches.
- Wipers – smear-free sweep.
- Bodywork – no sharp edges, rust treated.
Print this list, pin it in the cab and tick it during every regular inspection and maintenance session.
Need Reliable Van Insurance? Get a Quote
You have the maintenance regime in place - now wrap that effort in dependable cover. At 123.ie, we offer fast online quotes, flexible options and helpful claims support for all goods vehicles and appropriate vehicle types.
Get your Van Insurance today, enjoy peace of mind tomorrow and remember – making sure your van is protected keeps you working whatever the road throws at you.
