Unserviced vans ‘have more road accidents’

17th December 2013

New research has uncovered a direct link between servicing and accidents.

The study, by AXA Business Insurance, was based on a sample of around 130,000 vans on the road in Britain.  It found that nine out of ten van owners have their vehicle serviced at least once a year – but 6% never get their van serviced at all and, of these, 90% have had five or more accidents in the last five years.  The overall average for five or more accidents during the period was just 17% of van owners.

Furthermore, of those who service their vans less than once a year only 56% were confident that their MOT was up to date.  In contrast, among those who get a regular service the figure was over 90%.

Over half of all van owners also admitted to having chips in their windscreens and around a quarter to having unrepaired damage to exhausts, bumpers or mirrors.

Drivers involved in accidents where the cause is found to be attributable to their lack of vehicle maintenance may well find that any claim they make is turned down, the MD of the company Darrell Sansom warned.

Common problems that can cause accidents include worn brakes, bald tyres or a damaged chassis, and they can lead to a vehicle going out of control.  “It’s important to remember the Highway Code recommends that core maintenance, including the checking of tyre pressures and fluid levels, is carried out weekly,” David added.