How to Ensure Your Van’s Quality with Test Driving

If you’re on the hunt for the perfect van, whether for personal trips or business purposes, it’s difficult to calculate how much you’re hauling without an industrial platform scale. Even tradies have this worry in the back of their minds as much as they think they have a natural feel for how much their van can handle. Or, if you’re using a new van to move house and are worried about going over the recommended payload, you need to make sure your van fits the bill. Here are some essential tips for test-driving a van that can indicate how well a van is up for the jobs you require.

Test Any New Safety Features

Many new vans come with incredible technology that you’ll have to find in the luxury section of cars. Extra-safe models such as the Fiat Ducato and Ford Transit have smart equipment such as lane-keep assist, lane departure warning, 360-degree parking cameras and traffic sign recognition. If you’re unfamiliar with any of them, test drive your van and try the new features to see how they work before you start any proper transport journeys. Do this on slower, less busy roads such as country A roads. By doing this, you’ll be able to use them to your benefit and not risk being distracted by trying to set up features while hauling precious cargo.

Plan a Test Route with Various Conditions

Your van should be able to handle tough conditions that may appear in real-world situations without causing damage to cargo. To ensure this, map out a short test route that functions almost like an obstacle course – potholes, tight turns and narrow streets that could all cause issues.

What If You’re Testing a Used Van?

Used vans require a bit more testing because of the uncertainty around their condition – as much as the seller/renter can talk about its condition and suitability, the only person who can decide whether it’s in good enough condition is you.

Check several key areas, such as if: the brakes are firm and responsive; the tyre pressure is in the recommended range; the suspension rebounds and settles the van when you push down on each corner; the mirrors are clear; any unusual noises are coming from the van while driving; the seatbelt can lock reliably; and all the various light types are bright and give you a clear view of the road.

Once you’ve returned from your test drive, make notes of any issues you found or appeared along the way. This will help you decide on your van of choice and make a safe and assured decision.
If you want to drive a brand new van without the long-term commitment of owning a van, try cars2buy’s range of new van leasing deals. Our transparent service searches the web for quality van lease deals from trusted partners, so you don’t have to endure the hassle of comparing lease offers on hundreds of websites. Instead, search, filter, sort and compare the UK’s best Nissan Primastar lease offers to find the perfect one for you. Search, filter, sort and compare them all to find the perfect match. Browse our vans for lease today and find the perfect one for you in a flash.