DRIVING a van can be a pretty hectic and, hopefully, busy job. Pick-ups here and deliveries there can soon clock up the miles and have you whizzing around all over the place.

So if you happen to get pulled over by the police, your natural instinct could be to get annoyed and stressed. However, the best thing to do is stay calm and co-operate. The old Bill might not even think you’ve broken the law. There could be something wrong with your van or they could be carrying out routine checks.

Here are a few tips on what to do if you get pulled over:

1. Safely pull over

If you see those lights flashing and the police are requesting that you pull over, don’t panic. Gradually slow down and safely move the vehicle to the left hand side of the road before pulling off completely.

That may not be easily done on some occasions, so if you can’t get across in time, show the police officer that you aware that they are there and you will attempt to pull over as soon as it is convenient to do so.

Make sure that you are as far away from the road as you can be when you pull over. This will help reduce the possibility of the police car colliding with yours. It will also prevent the police officer having to walk onto the road when they come over to your van.

2. Don’t get flustered

Once you have pulled over, remain calm and turn the ignition off. Don’t immediately assume that the police officer will ask you for your licence or insurance documents and start rooting around in the glove box or other little compartments in the cab.

You should also turn the radio off if you have it on and open the window on the driver’s side, but only part of the way.

Make sure your hands are always visible to the approaching police offices, so it’s probably a good idea to keep them on the steering wheel. This will put the officer at ease and will indicate that you are co-operating.

If you have any passengers in your van, make sure they stay quiet. They should only speak if the officer speaks to them.

3. Remain in the van

Do not get out of the van at any time, unless you are asked to do so by the police officer. If you do get out without be requested to do so, the officer could construe this as threatening behaviour and the whole situation could get a lot worse.

4. Be polite

If you behave mannerly from the outset, you will increase the chances of sorting the situation amicably. Scrambling about trying to find your licence or van insurance documents could make the police officer think you are looking for a weapon or that you have something else to hide.

Erratic behaviour could arouse suspicion that you have been drinking or taking drugs. The best course of action is to stay calm and polite and speak clearly to the officer.

The officer may ask if you know why you have been pulled over. Don’t worry, it won’t go against you if you respond that you don’t know. Avoid coming out with a load of excuses to try and talk your way out of getting a ticket. If anything, this will only make things worse.

Don’t get aggressive or start an argument with the police officer or other people in your van. The officer isn’t picking on you, they are simply doing their duty. Imagine if you were in their shoes and someone was shout abuse at you from inside their van. You’d be less likely to treat them in a friendly manner, wouldn’t you?

5. Be patient and honest

If you are asked a question by the police officer, always be honest and answer them clearly. This helps keep both parties calm and you can expand and explain your own personal situation if you think it is relevant.

If you are asked to show documents, do so in a slow and calm manner and always communicate to the officer what you are doing by saying something like “I’ll just get them out of the glove compartment.”

If the police officer does ask you to get out of the van, don’t leap out. Step out of the van carefully and slowly and don’t stand too close to the officer or touch them. This could be perceived as threatening behaviour, or worse, you could be charged with assaulting a police officer.

6. No need to be afraid

Just getting pulled over doesn’t always mean you’re in trouble. Most of the time the police officer will want to help you out. Even if you have unwittingly done something wrong, remain calm and don’t get agitated, this could be the situation worse. If you think that you have been treated unfairly, get the officer’s name and the station where they work. You should also make a note of their supervisor’s name.

Remember, just getting a ticket doesn’t always mean you are in the wrong. If an officer writes you a ticket that you think is unfair, take it anyway and you can contest at another time.

Don’t start arguing on the side of the road about a ticket as this can often lead to greater problems. You won’t be admitted any sort of guilt by simply taking the ticket from the officers.

7. Keep yourself right

Whether you get pulled over or not, you should always have up-to-date documentation relating to your van. To drive legally on the road, you will need an MOT certificate, road tax, your driver’s licence and van insurance.

If you are setting off on a long journey, give your van a quick once over to see if there are any problems, such as a faulty light or loose part. This will prevent the chances of you being pulled over.

Drive Carefully, Stay Safe and Keep Van Insurance Costs Down!

The type of van you buy will depend on what you intend using it for.

Don’t go into a dealer’s or check out used commercial vehicle sites without having a good idea of what sort of van you’re after.

Here are the main types of vans you will see on the road and their main uses.

Micro vans

As the name suggests, these are small vans and are handy for urban use. They are quite good at nipping around tight city streets. Of course, their size means that drivers who are a bit on the tall side may find them a bit of a squeeze.

But, considering micro vans are quite small, they do provide a decent amount of cargo space. Fuel economy isn’t great and long journeys may be a bit of a slog for a micro van. The Suzuki Carry and Daihatsu Hijet are examples of micro vans.

Car-derived vans

These are effectively cars which have been converted into small vans. The rear seats will have been removed and normally the side windows blocked out. New floor panelling will also have been fitted to make the rear of the car into a cargo area.

Load space is usually restricted, with payloads usually no more than 500kgs. This is so the combined weight of the van and a full load won’t be over two tonnes.

Because of their origins as cars, these vehicles usually provide good fuel economy, both in urban environments and on the open road. However, car-derived vans aren’t suitable for bulky or heavy cargo. The Fiat Punto van and Vauxhall Astravan are good examples of car-derived vans.

Light vans/Hi-Cube vans

These can be odd-looking vehicles. The front will usually have more of a car look about it with the storage area to the rear looking more cube-shaped. The load space is also taller and wider, which provides a generous amount of load area for such a small vehicle.

This type of vehicle is good for transporting small- to medium-sized loads and boasts good fuel economy. Fiat Doblo and Vauxhall Combo fall in this category.

Small panel vans

A bit of a halfway house between light vans and large panel vans, the small panel vehicles are pretty adept at carrying decent loads. They also have the advantage of being easy to park and aren’t as cumbersome as larger vans. Their running costs and van insurance costs are usually pretty low and they score pretty high for fuel economy. Examples of small panel vans include the Citroen Dispatch and Peugeot Expert.

Large Panel vans

There are three different lengths for large panel vans – short wheelbase (SWB), medium wheelbase (MWB) and long wheelbase (LWB). Large panel vans also fall into three different categories of roof height – low roof (LR) or standard roof (SR), medium roof (MR) and high roof (HR).

They may be harder to negotiate tight city streets, but will haul heavier loads and have ample load space. The Ford Transit and Mercedes Sprinter are examples of large panel vans.

Pick ups

Easy to spot as they differ greatly in appearance from other vans. The driver and passenger’s area is enclosed, but the load area is usually open. Pick ups can fall into different categories, depending on cab size – there are single cabs with a seat for the driver and one passenger or four-door double cabs which have rear seats as well.

They can be handy if you drive regularly on bumpy, country roads or inhospitable terrain as most pick ups have four-wheel drive. However, this can make them a bit unrefined when it comes to smoother motorways or urban streets. The Mitsibushi L200 and Nissan Navara fall into this category.

Chassis cabs

This is a bit of a ‘build your own’ van. This type of vehicle is usually a cab sat on a bare chassis base. The owner can then choose the bed which is appropriate for their own use. These can include tippers, flatbeds, dropsides and lutons (box vans) or the driver can have their own bed specifically made. Examples include the Ford Transit and Renault Master.

Minibuses

Basically, a van with side panels replaced with windows. Minibuses will usually contain anywhere between eight and 16 seats for passengers. There are other modifications which can be made to minibuses, including the fitting of ramps and wheelchair lifts. Vans which can be converted into minibuses include the Ford Transit and Fiat Ducato.

VanInsured.com – The Commercial Vehicle Specialists

You’ll be walking on Air with this little Dreamer

My Mrs always says I’m a bit of dreamer. She does have a point. Often on a cold January morning when I’m trying to get the heater going in my van, my mind will drift to the warm, sunny beaches of the Costa Fortune, I mean ‘del Sol’, with a Pina Colada in one hand and the English papers in the other. Well, you’ve gotta have your comforts wherever you are.

This new Citroen Berlingo Airdream has a slightly more altruistic vision – the manufacturers are dreaming of a greener world and they’re doing their bit by launching a few of these micro-hybrid models (sounds like something you’d conjure up in a test tube if you ask me).

It’s not just the environment that’ll get a but greener thanks to the enhanced Berlingo Euro5 range, it’ll put a bit more ‘green’ as the Yanks would say, in your wallet thanks to the greatly improved fuel economy. The emissions have been greatly reduced too, which will help out when it comes to sorting out your road tax and van insurance.

The figures certainly add up with the Berlingo Airdream chugging out a generous 60.1mpg with a not-too-shaby CO2 emissions level of 123g/km. The 1.6l engine delivers 90hp and comes with an EGS six-speed automated manual transmission as well as a stop/start system and regenerative braking.

Clearly, Citroen have tried to recreate more of a car-feel to the driving, but the paddle shift controls on the steering wheel do leave a bit to be desired. Still the transmission is neat and tidy, with none of the shifting problems you’d expect from an automated manual system.

There’s plenty of spec, too, such as air-conditioning (hey, you’d expect that with a van called ‘Airdream’, wouldn’t you?), metallic paint, a USB socket and Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control, a speed limiter and rear parking sensors (there’s nothing like that quick beeping to let you know you’re driving a real van).

Get the ‘heads up’ on the new Citroen

As well as that, Citroen have also given you heads-up with a speed camera warning alert, so if you have drifted over the speed limit, you’ll have time to slow it down before you get slapped with a few penalty points, which are not good when it comes to keeping the van insurance premiums down, by the way.

Most blokes won’t ask for directions, so it’s good to know that if you do get lost – sorry, decide to take a more scenic route – you’ll have Citroen’s Trafficmaster Smartnav system neatly placed to your right on the dashboard to keep you on the right road (or get you back on track again).

The cargo area is easily accessible through the sliding nearside door and hinged rear door and if anything has come loose during the trip, the ladder frame bulkhead will keep the driver safe.

The Berlingo can withstand the worst the seasons can throw at it, which is good to know considering it can be winter any day in Britain. The cab warms up quickly once the heater’s knocked on and it stays warms despite the cavernous load area behind.

The Berlingo Airdream is the ideal commercial vehicle for urban and motorway use and is well kitted-out, ensuring a comfortable and practical drive. So make that dream a reality. No, not the one with the Pina Colada…

Get Cheap Van Insurance for a Citroen Berlingo Airdream at VanInsured.com

A VAN can be the most valuable part of your business, or certainly play a huge part in keeping it running smoothly.

That’s why, when it’s time to splash out on a new or used van, it’s important to make the best decision.

Here are a few pointers to help you get the most for your money.

Type of van

The type of van you are in the market for will depend on what you want to use it for. You should think about the goods you may be hauling around or other jobs you may need it for.

Some vans will be better equipped for certain jobs than others, so consider carefully the main uses you’ll need the van for. You should also consider your own personal needs and experience of van driving. It’s always better to go for something you are comfortable with if it meets your requirements. Click for a quote for more details on the different types of vans you may be looking at.

Price and budgeting

Before you even start to look at vans, you need to work out how much money you have to spend. You are best placed to work out what you can afford every month, so take the time to do your sums and factor in all the costs associated with owning and running a van.

Of course, you should try and find a bit of wiggle room with any seller and bargain hard for a good price. After all, they are keen to sell and you are the one prepared to part with a decent slice of cash, so make sure you get your money’s worth.

Commercial Vehicle Costs

The purchase price may be the least of your worries if the cost of running the van are sky high. Make sure you can afford to run the van and don’t be blinded by the salesman speak. Look beyond the actual sale and consider the long-term expense of owning a van.

Costs you should consider include:

Fuel: If you are looking at a number of vans, make sure you take into account how many mile per gallon each one does. Petrol and diesel prices are on the increase, so comparing the fuel consumption figures will save you money.

Tax: Different vans can fall into different tax brackets, so make sure you know how much road tax you’ll pay on a particular van.

Servicing and parts: It’s a good idea to price a service and the cost of parts for the van you have your eye one. You’ll be amazed at the wide range of costs you’ll find between different manufacturers.

Van insurance: Insurance prices can very greatly between providers, so always compare van insurance. A good guideline is size as bigger and more powerful vans will lead to higher premiums.

Of course, at VanInsured.com, we can provide with a wealth of great quotes as well as advice on how to find cheap van insurance. Our expert team would be happy to discuss your own personal needs with you, so don’t hesitate to give us a call.

VanInsured.com – Find the right van.

Often, picking out the van you want is the easy part. Things can get a bit tricky, though, once you start thinking about how to pay for it. But, you’ll end up more pouring more money down the drain if you’re going to try and keep your clapped out old van on the road.

So, when it comes to replacing your van, what options are open to you? The first thing you need to decide is whether you’re going to buy or lease. If you’re not sure what the pros and cons of either are, we’ve put together a simple guide to help you make the best decision.

The difference between buying and leasing

Buying is the easier to understand of the two – you get the money together (either through a loan or from savings), use it to buy the van and you are the owner.

Leasing is a bit less straightforward, but it does have its advantages. The first thing you must realise is that by leasing a van, you’ll never truly own it.

Instead, you pay the leasing company a monthly fee and you can use the van for the length of your leasing agreement. After that you hand it back and get a new one. You also have the option of purchasing the van at the end of the leasing term by paying the company a one-off lump sum.

The pros of buying a van

There are a number advantages associated with buying a van. Firstly, when making the initial purchase, you can get the most for your money by bargaining with the dealer or private seller to get the best price.
You can also take a big slice off the purchase price by trading in your old van.

Leasing a van can come with a limit on your annual mileage, therefore buying a van will leave you free to cover as many miles as you like.

Of course, when you buy the van you are the owner and if you have your own business, the van becomes one of your company’s assets. This means you can sell or trade it at any time when you need to.

The pros of leasing a van

There are a number of reasons why leasing a van can be a good idea. One thing you’ll certainly notice is that the monthly payments are a lot lower than what you would pay on a loan or finance agreement used to buy a new van.

Leasing also means you can get a new van every few years. Once your leasing term expires, you just hand the van back. You then have the option of leasing out a new van under a new agreement.

For a business that wants to keep its costs down, this is a good choice. You won’t have to pay to maintain the van and you won’t have to worry about the vehicle losing its value.

The breakdown and maintenance cover is usually including in the lease agreement, which means if the van breaks down or needs repaired, the lease company will meet the cost of getting it back on the road.

Leasing a van also comes with the option of buying the vehicle outright when the initial lease period is over.

Making your mind up

Now you know the options available to you, you must decide which best suits your requirements. The main driving force behind your decision will be the cost.

Buying a van is a big financial commitment as you’re not only forking out for the initial purchase, you’ll also have to factor in servicing and maintenance cost. The value of the vehicle will also fall considerably over the years.

However, if you are confident you can afford it, buying a new a van could prove to be a worthwhile investment.

The costs are easier to manage with leasing as all you have to worry about is paying a monthly fee and you won’t get stung with any extra servicing or repair expenses.

There is also less risk involved in leasing a van as they are not classed as assets of your business. That means they can’t be seized or used to pay off any outstanding debts if the company goes bust.

The downside of leasing can be that leasing companies have mileage restrictions. You could face additional charges if you go over the agreed mileage limit by the end of the lease agreement term.

Sale or return – what will you go for?

It’s time to take a long, hard look at your finances and decide which option is best for you.
You should also take the time to see what offers you can find on van insurance. Leasing companies can sometime include insurance in their monthly payments for the chosen driver of the van.

If things are going well with your business and you can afford it, then buying may be the best road to go down.

If you are a bit uncertain, then you should probably consider leasing.

Remember, whether you’re buying or leasing, you can still great a deal on van insurance at VanInsured.com – We’re always the best option.

Money Saving Advice From VanInsured.com

RIGHT, so you’ve decided to splash out on a new van. This can be a bit of headache, especially if you’re not up to speed with commercial vehicles or if you’re not too sure what size or type of van you’re after.

You may be starting up a new business, or looking to expand your existing operation. You may just be the sort who does a lot of odd jobs and need somewhere to store your gear.

You could even need something a bit bigger than a car to transport your large family (and maybe a couple of dogs) around.

It doesn’t matter what you need a van for, if you jump headfirst into the van market, you could be left with your head in a spin (bit like me after a few too many on a Friday night).

Firstly, you need to decide whether you’re going to fork out for a new van, a used one or just rent one for a short period of time. Don’t worry, I won’t let you go in blind – I’ve put together a useful guide to make sure you end up with the van you want and also that no-one tries to pull a fast one on you.

Is new for you?

A nice shiny, brand new van may be an appealing prospect, but think long and hard before you head down to your local dealer. Ask yourself if you can afford to splash out all that cash on a new van. Chances are you’ll have use some sort of finance to buy the vehicle, so look at whether you can keep up with the repayments each month. Is a van really necessary for the driving you do?

On the whole, a van will cost more than a car, from the initial purchase price right through to the running costs. Fuel economy on van won’t be as good as car and once you factor in road tax, commercial vehicle insurance costs and, in some cases, congestion charges, the expenses soon mount up. So, make sure a van is what you need and consider whether your car could serve a similar purpose.

Having weighed all this up, you may decided that a van is the way forward. Okay, so firstly you’ll need to work out how you’re going to pay for it. If you’ve got your heart set on something that’s just rolled off the production line, you’re probably best looking at leasing the van.

This involves monthly payments, but they will be a lot less than those you would expect to fork out in a finance agreement. That’s because, as the month and years go by, the value of the van drops. Once your agreed term is up, the leasing company takes the van back. This means you don’t have to worry about selling the van on and you could even take on a new one through a new leasing agreement.

If you want to the option of buying the van at the end of the term, you can set up a personal contract purchase agreement.

How to get the best deal when shopping for a van.

Now, this may be rich coming from me, considering I wasn’t the most committed of school kids back in the day, but doing your homework is the key to getting a great deal on a van. You should look at the following key areas when you go shopping for a van:

Know what you want:

Let’s face it, if you’re indecisive or appear naive, a dealer will smell that inexperience and have you dancing to his tune in no time. Do your research and decide what size and type of van you want.

Are you looking for a small van, a pick-up, a 4×4 or a large van? What will you be using it for – transporting goods, people or whatever else you want? Will you need the van fitted out with ply lining or even refrigeration?

Once you know that answers to these questions, you can stride confidently into the dealers and tell him what you want. Specification Once you know what van you’re after and how much money you have to play with, have a look at what vans are within your budget and what specifications come with them.

Commercial Vehicle Shopping – Look out for:

Size: Yes, it does matter. If you’ve never driven a van before, be aware that the bigger the beast, the harder it is to handle. Think about what you’ll be hauling, be it goods, people or pets, and find a size of van that suits.

Fuel economy: Again, the bigger vans will be tougher on fuel, so if possible, look for something smaller that will be easier on the juice. You can get smaller vans with four-cylinders if fuel economy is a high priority, but most will come with V6 engines.

Some of the larger vans will even be available with V8 or V10 engines which are particularly thirsty boys and will make it harder for you to get cheap van insurance.

Fun for all the family: If you’re planning to do a lot of long journeys – especially with kids in tow – it pays to have a decent entertainment system on board. Air conditioning and ample storage will all come in handy in a family-friendly van.

Safety: Some newer vans, especially minivans, score very high for safety. Still, it’s always worth swotting up on the crash test rating of the van you have your eye on.

Interior space: What’s the room inside the van like and how many seats does it have and will they accommodate your more robust co-workers or passengers?

Cargo space: Again, depending on what you’re lugging around, the cargo space will be a big consideration. Naturally, if you’re hauling big loads, or a large family around, you’ll want plenty of room in the back of the van.

Likewise, smaller loads will rattle around in a big van so make sure you get the space that suits.

Operating costs: Although smaller vans score highly for fuel economy and cheaper van insurance, larger commercial vehicles stand up better to wear and tear and can take more of what the world throws at them. Therefore, you should try and strike a decent balance between fuel costs and maintenance costs.

Van finance: Whether you’re buying a new or used van, you’re going to be parting with a lot of dosh. For a new van, it’s worthing thinking about loans and leasing, as well as all other means of finance. The big plus with leasing is that you’ll be able to drive about in a brand, spanking new every few years and you’ll be paying a lot less each month for the privilege.

However, the downside is that leasing companies will restrict you to a set mileage because this is how they work out the residual value of the van over time.

Go over this mileage limit and you’ll be slapped with an extra charge. Therefore, a loan will be the best option if you want the freedom of driving as far as possible and then you’ll own the van outright at the end of the term.

Whatever finance you decide to go for, make sure you have it all sorted before you head down to the dealers. A lot of them may try and force their own finance deal on you, so be prepared.

Prepare yourself : If you want to buy a van, you have to take a long, hard look at yourself (woah, that sent a few shivers down by spine – just got a flashback to being the headmaster’s office at school). Don’t worry, you have to do any sole-searching, more a bit of credit-searching.

Make sure you know what sort of credit rating you have before you head into a dealers. That way, there’ll be no nasty surprises when the dealers starts to go over the paperwork. Remember, if your application for van finance is turned down, this will put a black mark on your credit profile. Therefore, it may be a good idea to get a credit report before you go off van shopping.

You can get access to you credit profile through the likes of Experian of Equifax. You should also put a bit of effort into keeping your credit profile healthy. You can do this by making sure you pay your bills when they are due.

It also helps to have been in continuous employment with the same company for at least six months and be living at the same fixed home address for a good period of time.

If bad credit is putting you in a bit of pickle when buying a van, try getting someone else on board as co-signer, just make sure you keep up with the repayments of your partner’s credit rating could take hit too. You may also be able to lob a bit more off the price of the van by trading in your old car or van.

Search online: Now, I’m not being lazy here, but what better way to search through hundreds of vans than in the comfort of your own home with a nice cuppa and a packet of chocolate Hob-Nobs (or is that just me?). Going online is the quickest and easiest way to get a good feel for the market.

You’ll get a good idea of prices and what sort of specifications you can expect in each van and you’ll also be able to check out customer reviews for the things your dealer won’t tell you.

Get your timing right: You’ll get better deals depending on what time of the year you buy at. The month before new registrations are rolled out is always a good time to get a good deal. Dealers need to make room for their new stock, so will try and move the older stuff on a knockdown prices.

With a lot of dealers working on commission and keen to hit their end-of-year targets, you may find some of them only too glad to give you a bargain just before Christmas, and it’s not just them getting in the festive mood.

Cheap Van Insurance – Whatever van you choose to buy, you’ve come to the right place!

Fancy signing up an Italian midfield general?

IT’S hard to pin down the Italians (don’t worry, I’m not going to start making a load of pub landlord-style generalisations here).

The Mrs is quite fond of their fashion (well, at least she likes looking at expensive shoes and clothes in the magazines) and I suppose when you look at something like a Ferarri, you can safety say the Italians have a penchant for flair.

But, if like me, you’re more into your footy, then there’s isn’t too much to get excited about when you see the Italians. Don’t get me wrong, they work hard and stick to a system – even if it can be a bit boring to watch.

It seems that the Fiat Scudo Euro 5 has combined the best the Italians have to offer in a stylish, yet reliable van.

The Scudo is the middle man in Fiat’s van range, just coming in below the Ducato and up a notch from the Doblo. It’s a hard-working van too, so I suppose you could say it’s a box-to-box midfielder (although there’s probably only space for a five-a-side team in the back).

It kicks off at a basic price of £19,600, but a few extras will easily push it over the 20 grand mark. It’s a good job you’ll be saving so much on your van insurance then.

Fiat Scudo Van – Competitively Priced

Still, it’s competitively enough priced when you consider its lining up against the likes of the Ford Transit, VW Transporter and Mercedes Vito, Vauxhall Vivaro and Renault Trafic.

Among the extras you’ll have to shell out for are the CD & MP3 player with Bluetooth connectivity, a paneled bulkhead, a rear 12V socket and parking sensors. Throw in things like sun visors, electric wing mirrors, fog lights and hub caps and you’re easily talking the best part of a grand.

The Scudo cuts a pretty dashing figure with an ample front bumper and sweeping windscreen, but apart from being good to look at, it’s a pretty good performer too. The Euro5 engine gives a comfortable and enjoyable drive, chugging out a healthy 161hp.

It’s pretty nippy too for a medium-sized van and negotiates towns and cities pretty well, although things can get a bit noisier on the open road. If you get the added parking sensors, then parking is a dream too.

There’s decent storage room inside and the interior is functional, if unspectacular. Loading can be carried out through the side or rear, with both openings easily able to accommodate a Euro-sized pallet.  You’ll find us similarly accommodating when you come to compare van insurance.

Steering wheel-mounted controls are also a big plus, as is the driving seating position which affords you the sort of comfort you’d find in a car with great support and adjustable height.

In a game of two halves, the Fiat Scudo is a hard-working, functional medium-sized van with a stylish edge.

Fiat Scudo Euro5 Owners – Compare Van Insurance Now!

DURING the course of a busy day, with your mind trying to juggle a million different things, it’s amazing how easy you can get the simplest things wrong.

Putting the wrong fuel in your van is just one and is a much more common occurrence than you would think.

You may have to fork out a few quid, but it is something that can be rectified and is well worth it to get you back on the road. The main thing to do is not panic and follow our handy guide to what to do if you accidentally misfuel.

Firstly, the most important thing you need to remember is that, once you have realised you have misfueled, do not turn on your engine or even turn the ignition key. If you do, the wrong fuel will start to make its way through your vehicle, which will make the damage much worse.

Putting petrol in a diesel van

If you accidentally put more than five litres of petrol into a diesel van, you will need a certified mechanic to drain the fuel tank and then fill it up with diesel.

You may be able to get your dealer to take care of this if the van is still under warranty, so it’s probably best to contact them first.

Fuel is dangerous, so never try to drain the tank yourself. You could cause an accident and, worse still, injure yourself. Cars and parts can be replaced, but don’t put yourself in harm’s way.

If your warranty has expired or you dealer can’t help, contact your breakdown recovery company. They can arrange to have you towed to the nearest garage or mechanic.

After draining the fuel tank, the mechanic will need to be sure that none of the fuel has made its way into the pipes. This will be done by changing the sealants and filters.

Only after this is done, can you refill with the right fuel. Of course, you’re going to be extra careful second time around!

Accidentally putting less than five litres of the wrong fuel into your tank shouldn’t pose the same problem. If you do manage to pump a drop or two of the wrong juice in before realising your mistake, your tank won’t sustain a great deal of damage as there won’t have been enough fuel to get into the pipes.

Unless the manufacturer’s manual tells you otherwise, the best thing to do is top up the tank with the right fuel and drive on.

Putting diesel in a petrol van

While misfuelling can easily happen, it’s much harder to put diesel into a petrol van. For a start, the colour of the pumps are different and the nozzle on a diesel pump is bigger than petrol nozzle. Therefore, you really have to shove a diesel nozzle in to get the fuel in. You’d like to think that something will have twigged by then.

However, the advice is much the same. The tank will need to be drained and filters and sealants changed by a certified mechanic before you top up with diesel again.

Again, anything less than five litres of diesel shouldn’t cause much damage and if you do notice your mistake in time, just top up with the right fuel and be on your way.

So, it won’t be the end of the world if you misfuel, especially if you follow our helpful guide.

Commercial Vehicle Advice from VanInsured.com

AS you probably won’t be too surprised to hear, I like a little flutter on the gee-gees from time to time. A van engine isn’t the only horsepower I’m into. There’s nothing more thrilling than seeing the nag you’ve backed making a burst from the rear of the field to snatch the win – and bag me a load of dosh into the bargain.

These new Renault Master Dropsides also packs a bit of a punch for the back with the manufacturer hoping that their new rear-wheel drive editions can surge to the head of the pack.

Well, everything about this nifty little number suggests they’re heading in the right direction. The 2.3litre Euro5 diesel engine churns out a decent 145hp and handles pretty steadily, especially with a full load on board. However, things may get a bit bumpier when there’s nothing to haul around. Still, once you get the Master up to 50mph, it’s quite easy to cruise along nicely.

The cab itself is neat little work station, with some added extra which could easily see it double up as a mobile office. A supportive, upright driving position blends nicely with the easy to reach gearstick which is mounted on the dash. All the knobs and buttons you need are within easy range on a dashboard which isn’t overly complicated.

If you are sort of driver who as good as lives in their van, then you’ll be delighted with the ample storage space in the cab. There a couple of door bins which can easily contain a big bottle of your drink of choice (Sprite, since you’re asking), a couple of pasties if you get peckish and some stimulating reading material – alright then, The Sun.

Keep Cool with the Renault Master

There’s also a cooled glove compartment and a couple of nifty cup holders for that 10am brew (there also handy for the 11am, lunchtime, 2pm and 4pm cuppa too). Just make sure any of your passengers don’t try to turn your glove compartment into their own private fridge – that kind of stench in a confined space can be hard to stomach.

For that added touch of home at mealtimes, there’s also a tabletop which is mounted behind the centre seat and which can be swivelled round for the driver to use. It can also accommodate a laptop computer too if you need to do a bit of work. Word to the wise – if you’re going to be keeping things like laptop in your van, let your insurer know when you sorting out your van insurance.

The standard Renault Master Double Cab Dropside does com with a Carminat TomTom satnav system and prices start at just over £27, 000, that’s before the taxman slaps on his little share.

You can have few extras added on for a few more quid and there is a Driving Pack available which contains air conditioning with pollen filter, driver’s-side electric one-touch windows and cruise control. That will set you back £750. You’ll get a few more additional features such as front passengers airbag (£225), tow bar (£270) and engine speed limiter (£65). Renault also throw in three years AA roadside assistance.

Renault Master Double Cab – Compare Van Insurance Now!

SOMETIMES, I don’t know whether I coming or going these days. Things aren’t what they used to be. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not some sort of dinosaur who indulges in the stereotypes. But, when I think of a pick-up truck, I think cowboy hats and the Americans driving about on their ranches.

Seems that nowadays, it’s not where the sun sets, but where it rises that has become the new home of the pick-up. The Ford Rangers seems to fighting a tough battle against the oriental might of Mitsubishi and Nissan.

Nissan have upped the stakes

Nissan have upped the stakes recently with new Navara Outlaw V6, with the building trade in particular sure to perk up and take a bit of notice – once they’ve finished the 10.30 teabreak of course!

The Outlaw has got nothing to do with Robin Hood, but if you did have a band of merry men, there’s plenty of room in the double cab model.

The first thing you’ll notice, however, about this bad boy is the power. The 3litre V6 turbodiesel churns a mighty 231hp and gives a whopping 550Nm peak torque. But that doesn’t mean that hauling this beast around is a chore as the handling is pretty smooth, due in no small part to the seven-speed automatic gearbox which comes with manual or automatic shifting.

You’ll quite easily hit top speed on the open road without experiencing the white-knuckle ride that some pick-ups can provide. The drive is smooth, the noise levels are low and there’s also cruise control. all contributing to a Zen-like peace (hey, maybe that’s why so many pick-ups from the east are flying out of the showrooms).

The cruise control is mounted on the steering wheel, which is pretty handy, as are the radio and CD controls.  If you are venturing off the beaten track or, if you haven’t read that delivery address properly and ended up in the backend of nowhere, there is also a four-wheel drive element which can accommodate over-roading.

Nissan Navara – rugged exterior, luxurious interior

Inside, there’s little hint at the Outlaw’s rugged exterior with a positively luxurious cabin. There’s all the buttons and knobs you’d expect for the standard electronic stuff like windows and sunroof, as well as automatic headlamps, rain-sensing windscreen wipers and leather seats. The front two seats are also electronically adjustable and heated – hey, you may as well make this place your office.

There’s also a rear parking camera which is helpful considering that reversing this hulking beast into a parking space. All the controls are neatly positioned on a cool-looking, easily-accesssible central console. The interior feel of cool continues through the leather and dark-plastic trim, giving the Outlaw a high-class feel.

But if you’re forking out for a pick-up, you want to be sure it has enough pulling power. The 3litre V6 model will haul 3000kg whereas you can pull 2700kg with the 2.5litre model. Service intervals for the 3l V6 are 12,000, rising to 18,000 for the 2.5l. Payload is generous 1080kg.

There’s plenty about the Outlaw which sets it apart from other pick-ups, but unfortunately one of them is the price. You’ll have to part with just shy of £30,000 for the basic V6 and you can add another grand or two onto that for some of the optional extras. For comparison sake, the Volkswagen Amarok Highline comes in at £21, 580 and the Mitsubishi L200 Barbarian clocks a £21,630.

The Outlaw represents a big leap in power and price, and may seek to carve out a market for a higher quality of pick-up.

Find Cheap Van Insurance for a Nissan Navara at VanInsured.com