Leasing a van rather than buying is one of the best ways to save money for your business. You won’t have any upfront costs, you can enjoy tax savings, and you’ll be able to access a wide range of new vehicles which may still be under warranty.
If your vehicle is under warranty, you’ll find it easier to maintain. The components will be newer and will show far less wear and tear. And if anything deteriorates because of a manufacturing fault, you can quickly get this replaced as it will still be covered by your warranty.
This is not to say that you shouldn’t take vehicle maintenance seriously. Vehicle maintenance is something best taken care of daily rather than waiting for your annual service to check potential issues. In this guide, we’re looking at some of the top maintenance tips you can follow to keep your refrigerated van in peak condition.

Why bother with maintenance?
The first question that many business owners ask is this: why bother with maintenance if I have a warranty and annual service coverage? You could certainly ignore maintenance requirements until your annual service, but this could lead your van to break down at the worst possible time.
Refrigerated vans are commonly used to transport temperature sensitive goods, so a breakdown could be catastrophic for your business and your reputation. Most customers will only allow you to let them down once before they look elsewhere.
For this reason, refrigerated vans in particular make the most sense to keep well maintained. Not only will this help to keep the engine operational, but it will also prevent potential issues with the chiller unit.
Refrigerated vehicles are more prone to issues related to dust, moisture and dirt. Filters need to be kept clean, seals need to be working efficiently, and ventilation needs to be checked regularly.

Prioritising maintenance in your organisation
Employee education is the best place to start with vehicle maintenance. Anyone who drives the vehicle should know how to check certain factors to ensure it is running correctly.
Before starting their day, they should have a checklist of factors to run through. And before locking up the vehicle at the end of the day, they should have a second list of items to check.
You should also keep a log of vehicle maintenance and services. You might have to book in a service once a year, or every 25,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Building a maintenance checklist for employees
You’ll likely have a checklist for cleaning the rear of the vehicle, as this will be an essential requirement for many businesses. If you run a catering company or food delivery business, you’ll already be in the habit of cleaning and disinfecting the rear of the van every day. However, the driver’s cab will often be neglected.
Drivers should get into the habit of removing rubbish every day. While not a maintenance issue, it is a matter of professionalism and it should remain a work environment that is kept clean and orderly.
Drivers should also know to check things like tyre pressure at the start of their shift, particularly if they are planning a long drive. If your van is carrying heavy loads, it’s essential that drivers know how to optimise tyre pressure for the conditions.
Drivers should check the seals on the refrigerated unit before loading up the van. If there are issues with the seals, this could lead to a loss of productivity if the driver then has to unload the van. Simple checks can help to avoid this.
Alongside checking the seals, it’s also important to check that thermostats and temperature controls are working correctly. If your van has an air purification unit, this should also be checked.

Keeping a log of issues
Drivers aren’t expected to know how to fix issues, but it’s essential that they have a way to report them. For example, if the van is making a new sound while driving, if there’s a knocking sound, if the steering feels different or anything else has changed, you can save the stress of a breakdown by addressing these issues as early as possible.
Check the driver logs at the end of every week and see if there are recurring issues reported. This could be a sign that the vehicle needs to be checked in for a service.
Annual service checks
Part of the leasing agreement will often include an annual service. This will check for issues with the engine and the refrigeration unit. If parts have worn down prematurely, they can be replaced before they cause a breakdown.
Annual services will also ensure that your vehicles are running as efficiently as possible. This will help with fuel economy, which will drive down your operational costs. It will also limit the risk of unexpected breakdowns. And finally, it will ensure that your workers are driving vehicles that are roadworthy to help keep them safe.

Final thoughts on refrigerated van maintenance
While leasing offers some protection against expensive repairs, there are situations where you may be left to foot the bill. The best way to avoid this is by keeping your leased vehicles in peak condition.
A new vehicle will be easier to maintain than an older used vehicle, so it makes sense to keep on top of issues and address them as they arise. This will help to protect against downtime in your business and avoid disappointing customers by being unable to deliver on time.
If you have multiple vehicles in your fleet, keeping accurate logs will be essential for maintenance, as some may see more use than others and will need more attention. Planning maintenance by mileage rather than time will help to focus attention where it is needed the most.
Ready to start your search for your perfect refrigerated van lease to help grow your business? Get in touch with our team today to learn how we can help you to select the ideal van for your business needs.