🔧 How Often Should You Service a Van? (Mileage vs Usage Explained)
🔧 How Often Should You Service a Van? (Mileage vs Usage Explained)
By Andrews Car Centre – Van Servicing Specialists in Lincoln
Whether you use your van for deliveries, tools, or as a mobile workspace, keeping it well-maintained is vital. But how often should you actually service it?
At Andrews Car Centre in Lincoln, we service vans daily — from self-employed tradesmen to small fleets. Here’s how often your van needs a service, and why mileage isn’t the only factor that matters.
🧭 The General Rule: Every 12,000 Miles or 12 Months
Most van manufacturers recommend:
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A full service every 12 months or 12,000 miles
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An interim service every 6 months or 6,000 miles (especially for high-mileage use)
But depending on how you use your van, you might need to service it more frequently.
🚛 High-Mileage Van Drivers – Service More Often
If you're:
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Driving 20,000+ miles a year
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On the motorway daily
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Heavily loaded or towing regularly
...your van needs servicing every 6 months, not just once a year. Components like oil, filters, brakes, and suspension wear much faster under those conditions.
Missed services increase the risk of breakdowns, MOT fails, and costly repairs.
🏙️ Low-Mileage, Stop-Start Vans Still Need Servicing
Only driving short distances or around town? You still need annual servicing. Here’s why:
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Engine oil degrades over time — not just from mileage
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Stop-start driving wears clutches, brakes and DPF systems faster
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Moisture and condensation build up inside components
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Long gaps between oil changes = sludge and long-term engine damage
So even if your van sits most weekends, it still needs a proper annual check.
💬 Servicing a Van Based on Usage
📦 Delivery drivers or couriers
✔️ Service every 6,000–10,000 miles
✔️ Pay close attention to brakes, suspension, tyres
🔨 Tradespeople or mobile businesses
✔️ Watch for oil and filter changes
✔️ Weight/load affects suspension & steering
🛻 Light-duty vans or family use
✔️ Stick to 12,000 miles or yearly servicing
✔️ MOT and service at the same time for convenience
🛠️ What We Check at Andrews Car Centre
Every van service includes:
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Engine oil & filter change
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Air filter, fuel filter, pollen filter (if due)
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Brake, steering & suspension checks
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Tyre inspection & pressures
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Battery health & fluid top-ups
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Diagnostics scan (where required)
We service all makes and models – Ford Transit, Peugeot Partner, Citroën Berlingo, Vauxhall Vivaro, VW Transporter and more.
📍 Book Your Van Service in Lincoln
Whether your van needs a basic interim service or a full inspection, our expert team has you covered.
✅ Fast turnaround
✅ OE-spec parts
✅ Transparent pricing
✅ Fleet servicing available
✅ Free local collection (subject to availability)
👉 Call now, book online, or visit Andrews Car Centre on Dixon Street, Lincoln – and keep your van earning, not breaking down.
🔍 Related Searches We Help With:
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Van service intervals UK
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Van service Lincoln