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The garage has rung with a quote and it’s not a small one. Now you’re wondering whether to pay it or put that money towards a new van.
Here’s the quick answer. If the repair costs more than 3 months of payments on a replacement van, replace it. Do the same if it will keep you off the road for more than 5 days. Otherwise, a repair usually makes sense.
Why both? Because the repair bill is only half of the cost. The other half is the work you can’t do while the van is in the garage. We’ll show you how to work that out below.
What big repairs cost
These are the five bills that most often start the ‘repair or replace’ question.
|
Repair |
Typical cost |
Source |
|
Clutch |
£676 average quote. |
|
|
Dual-mass flywheel |
£499 average quote. Often replaced with the clutch, as the gearbox comes out for both. |
|
|
DPF (diesel particulate filter) |
£200 to £400 to clean. £1,500 to £3,500+ to replace on a large van. |
|
|
Injectors |
£300 to £900 for one. £800 to £2,000+ for a set of four. |
|
|
Turbo |
£1,126 average quote. |
Worth knowing before you say yes
- The clutch and flywheel often go together. The gearbox must come out to reach either one. Ask if the flywheel needs doing while it’s apart.
- A blocked DPF often just needs a clean. It burns off soot when you drive at speed. Short trips around town often aren’t enough to clear it. Ask about a clean before you agree to a new one.
- Main dealers usually charge more than independent garages. Make sure to get more than one quote.
- These are averages. Most of them cover cars and vans together. Get a written quote for your own van.
What is the van being off the road really costing you?
This is the bit most people miss. The garage quote covers parts and labour. It doesn’t cover the jobs you’re forced to turn down while you wait.
Here’s a simple sum:
Repair bill + (what you earn in a day × days off the road) = the real cost
Say the garage quotes £1,126 for a new turbo. The van is off the road for 5 working days. Let’s say you normally earn £200 a day.
- The repair: £1,126
- Lost work: £200 × 5 = £1,000
- Real cost: £2,126
A bill of just over £1,100 really costs you more than £2,000. That’s the figure to compare with 3 months of payments on a replacement.
Use your own day rate and ask the garage how long they’ll have the van. If they can’t say, factor that in too.
Failed its MOT? What to do next
A failed MOT doesn’t always mean the end of the van. Start with the failure sheet. Each problem on it is marked “dangerous” or “major”.
Can I still drive it?
- If anything is marked “dangerous”: don’t drive it. Leave it where it is. Driving it could mean a fine of up to £2,500, a ban and 3 points on your licence.
- If it’s only “major” problems and your old MOT hasn’t run out: yes, you can take it away to be fixed. It still needs to be roadworthy.
Do I have to pay for another test?
Not always. It depends on where the van is fixed and how quickly it goes back.
- Fixed at the test centre: the partial retest is free, as long as it’s within 10 working days.
- Fixed elsewhere and back by the end of the next working day: the partial retest is free for some items, like lights, tyres, wipers, mirrors and seatbelts.
- Bring it back within 10 working days: you may pay a partial retest fee.
- Any later than that: a full retest at the full price.
Source: GOV.UK, Getting an MOT.
Before you book the repair, put the quote through the rule at the top. If it doesn’t pass, replace the van before it costs you more.
When a repair makes sense
Repairing your van is usually the right call when:
- It’s a one-off fault and the rest of the van is in good shape.
- The bill comes in at under 3 months of payments on a replacement.
- You’ll be back on the road within 5
- The van still suits your work.
- It meets the clean air zone standard where you work.
When it’s time to replace
- The repair costs more than 3 months of payments.
- It will keep you off the road for more than 5
- It’s the second big repair this year.
- More is due soon, like tyres, brakes or the next MOT.
- It’s an older diesel that pays a clean air zone charge. In London that’s £12.50 a day. In Bristol or Bath that’s £9 a day.
- Your work has outgrown it.
Part exchanging a van that’s failing
You can part exchange a van with faults. Faults lower what it’s worth but there’s no point paying for a repair on a van you’re about to hand over. Tell us about the issues when you ask for a valuation so the figure is accurate.
Here’s how it works:
- Tell us your registration, mileage and what’s wrong. We’ll give you a free valuation.
- Pick your new van and place the order.
- We settle any finance on the old van. Anything left over goes towards your new one.
- We deliver your new van and take the old one away.
Running several vans?
Got one or more vans that spend more time in the garage than on the road? Swap the problem vans. We’ll take the old ones away. See how we work with growing businesses.
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth repairing a high-mileage van?
It can be. Mileage alone doesn’t decide it. Compare the repair with 3 months of payments on a replacement and count the days off the road. Then check what else is due soon.
What do I do if my van fails its MOT?
Check the failure sheet. Don’t drive it if any defect is marked “dangerous”. If the defects are only “major” and your current MOT is still valid, you can take it away for repair. Leave it at the test centre and get it retested within 10 working days for a free partial retest.
Can I part exchange a van that needs repairs?
Yes. Faults lower its value. Tell us about them when you ask for a valuation. We settle any finance on the van and collect it when your new one arrives.
Thinking about a replacement?
If yours is a large van, these two are worth a look.
- Citroën Relay L3 H2 Enterprise, 2.2 BlueHDi 140PS · Diesel · 3.5t GVW. This van is carries the most weight with it’s 1,375kg payload and a 3,705mm load length.
- Renault Master LM35 Advance, Blue Dci 130PS · Diesel · 3.5t GVW. This van has the longest load floor with a 3,855mm load length and 1,307kg payload.
Got a garage quote in your hand?
Call us on 0177 453 1631 and tell us what repairs are needed and what you’ve been quoted. We’ll give you a straight answer on whether to fix it or replace it.
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