Van broken down on the road: what to do

First steps when your van breaks down

When you have a breakdown, switch on the hazard lights immediately and move your van as far as possible off the carriageway — onto the hard shoulder on motorways, onto the verge or a parking area on other roads. Switch off the engine once the vehicle has come to a stop.

Put on your high-visibility vest before getting out and place the warning triangle at the correct distance: at least 30 metres on ordinary roads and 100 metres on motorways. This is legally required and protects you and other road users.

Common breakdown causes with vans

Vans are heavily loaded and prone to certain typical faults. A puncture is one of the most common van breakdowns — the weight of the cargo increases tyre wear and the risk of a flat. Check whether your van is fitted with a spare wheel and the necessary tools.

Other common causes: a flat battery (vans are often started early in the morning in cold weather — ideal conditions for a weak battery), a blown fuse cutting electrical systems, an empty fuel tank (with intensive use, refuelling is sometimes forgotten) or engine overheating with a heavy load in warm weather.

Basic checks you can carry out on the spot

Have you got a puncture? Check whether your van has a spare wheel, a jack and a wheel brace. On a safe location (not on the motorway hard shoulder), you can change the tyre yourself if you are familiar with the procedure.

Check the fuel tank: a gauge that has been on reserve for a while can explain why the engine suddenly stopped. Also check the engine temperature: if overheating (temperature gauge in the red), switch off the engine immediately and wait for assistance — never try to remove the radiator cap from a hot engine.

When to call professional roadside assistance for your van

Call professional assistance when: the problem cannot be resolved yourself, your van is in a dangerous location (hard shoulder, tunnel, bridge), the cargo is time-sensitive and you need to get moving quickly, or the problem relates to the engine, transmission or brakes.

Via FastAssist24, submit your request with your location, vehicle type (van), registration number and a description of the problem. An available service provider in your region confirms your request and communicates an estimated arrival time.

Securing your cargo during a breakdown intervention

If you have a van with valuable or time-sensitive cargo, take the necessary measures. Lock the van and do not leave cargo visibly unattended in the load area. Inform your customer or recipient of the delay.

For refrigerated cargo: inform the service provider of the presence of temperature-controlled goods. Depending on waiting time, alternative measures for the cold chain may be needed. For hazardous cargo: state this explicitly in your breakdown request.

Frequently asked questions