As the days get shorter and the weather turns wetter, October is the perfect time to give your van some TLC. For tradespeople across Merseyside, Liverpool, St Helens and the North West, staying on top of van maintenance isn’t just about reliability — it’s about keeping your business running smoothly when the cold and damp start to bite.
Here’s your essential Autumn Van Maintenance Checklist to keep your van in peak condition and ready for every November job.
🔋 1. Check Your Battery Before the Chill Sets In
Cold weather can be tough on older batteries, especially if you’re running lights, heaters, and wipers daily.
👉 Test voltage (a healthy battery should read around 12.6 V when off) and inspect terminals for corrosion.
If your van struggles to start or lights flicker, replace the battery before it leaves you stranded.
➡ Read our full guide: Battery Health in Used Vans: Signs, Testing & What to Ask Before Buying
🧊 2. Coolant, Antifreeze & Oil Checks
As temperatures drop, keeping the right antifreeze mix is vital to stop your engine freezing or overheating.
✅ Check your coolant level when the engine is cold.
✅ Top up if needed with a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and distilled water.
While you’re under the bonnet, check oil level and colour — milky or sludgy oil can signal a coolant leak.
For more on pre-winter prep, see our Van Downtime: How to Minimise Breakdowns.
💨 3. Replace Wipers & Top Up Screen Wash
Autumn rain and road grime can hammer visibility.
🌧 Replace worn wiper blades and fill up with cold-weather screen wash (won’t freeze overnight).
A small investment here can prevent dangerous glare or smeared windscreens on dark commutes.
🛞 4. Inspect Tyres for Grip & Pressure
Wet leaves and early frosts make roads slippery.
🧰 Check tyre tread (minimum 1.6 mm, ideally 3 mm for autumn/winter) and adjust pressure for your load.
Uneven wear could mean alignment or suspension issues — fix them now before MOT time.
➡ You might also like: Van MOT Failures – The Most Common Reasons (And How to Avoid Them)
💡 5. Lights, Indicators & Heater System
Dark mornings mean full use of lights — so test every bulb.
✅ Check headlights, fog lights, brake and number-plate lights.
✅ Make sure heater and demister fans are blowing strong — fogged windscreens slow you down and risk fines.
A new cabin filter can also stop musty smells and improve airflow.
🔧 6. Prevent Rust & Damp
Autumn moisture means corrosion season.
🧽 Wash your van regularly, especially the underbody and wheel arches.
💦 Wax or underseal exposed metal and clean door seals to prevent leaks.
A weekend wash could save you hundreds in bodywork later.
📦 7. Secure Tools & Gear
Dark nights bring higher theft risk.
🔒 Fit upgraded locks or an interior tool vault and park under lights or CCTV.
We’ve covered affordable protection options in our Van Security Tips for 2025 — worth revisiting before winter.
✅ Final Word: Stay Ready, Stay Earning
Your van works hard all year — give it a little attention this autumn, and it’ll pay you back in reliability and fewer call-outs. From tyres and batteries to heating and security, small checks now mean fewer surprises later.
👉 Looking to upgrade before winter?
Browse our latest used vans for sale in St Helens — all inspected, valeted and MOT-ready.
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