It also revealed that 46% service their van regularly, with time, cost, and lack of legal requirements cited as key barriers.

The insurance broker also noted that vans are a vital part of a tradesperson’s job, yet many self-employed workers are risking their safety, income and legal compliance by skipping essential upkeep.

When it comes to vehicle servicing, a third service their vans occasionally, 16% wait until there’s a noticeable issue, and 46% say they follow a regular service schedule.

When asked why they put off servicing, 28% said they were too busy with work, 21% cited cost, and 25% felt it wasn’t necessary because it’s not legally required. A further 16% believed their vehicle was running fine and didn’t need one.

Regarding MOT advisory notes, 40% act on them straightaway, while 41% wait a few months. A total of 10% admitted to leaving them unresolved for even longer, and 7% said they address issues when they become urgent.

The study revealed that 36% of tradespeople have faced a van breakdown in the past two years, and 26% have had to cancel or postpone work due to transport problems.

When asked how many working hours they had lost due to their most recent vehicle-related issue, 44% said they had lost between four and eight hours.

When faced with vehicle issues in the past, 40% said they had to rely on a vehicle from friends, family or colleagues to keep working, 15% had to go out and buy a new van, and 6% received customer complaints due to last-minute job cancellations.

The survey revealed that 32% stated that they had to pay out of their own pocket to get the issues rectified. A total of 25% spent between £751 and £1,000, and 16% spent between £1,001 and £1,500 to get back on the road.