PHAM NEWS | MAY 2026 Vans& Racking 35


Ignore the ‘check


engine’ light at your peril


A simple dashboard warning light could end up costing van drivers far more than they realise, according to insurance experts. Research by van insurance


experts at Quotezone.co.uk warns that ignoring a service light may not only be dangerous, and lead to expensive repair costs, but could also invalidate insurance. Insurers could refuse to pay out


if an accident is linked to a known fault that had not been addressed, such as worn tyres, faulty brakes or an engine warning light, potentially


leaving drivers with thousands in unexpected costs. With repair prices continuing


to soar, some drivers are delaying essential maintenance, a move experts fear could backfi re fi nancially and legally, and put all road users at risk. According to the Department


for Transport, defective vehicles are currently responsible for around 1,300 collisions each year,


Exeter vehicle conversion


Strengthening its regional presence and improving access for businesses across the South West, Bott has opened a new Vehicle Conversion Centre in Exeter. The facility is located at Sowton Industrial Estate. The centre is fully operational and provides a range of vehicle conversion services for organisations of all sizes, from individual vehicles to large fleets. Services include van racking, storage systems, electrical integration and customised fleet branding. All work is carried out in line with manufacturer approvals and ISO standards for safety and quality.


Nick Smith, CEO of Bott UK, says: “Our Exeter Vehicle Conversion Centre is more than a new facility – it’s a centre of excellence for the South West. It brings our expertise directly to our customers, enabling closer collaboration, faster turnaround times and vehicle conversions that set the standard from day one.”


Tim Cutler, regional general manager, adds: “We look forward to welcoming customers, sharing our expertise and turning their vehicle concepts into practical, fully equipped solutions right here in the South West.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/526/55


Sharper, design-led Pro S trim joins Transporter range


Special edition adds perks


Renault has introduced the UK-exclusive Trafi c Graphite Edition, priced from £37,500 + VAT or available on a 48-month 0% APR representative PCP from £389 per month. Based on the Extra Sport trim, it adds Adaptive Cruise Control and Blind Spot Warning. Distinctive styling includes Slate Grey paint, 17-inch alloy wheels, side steps and unique badging. Off ered in short- and long-wheelbase panel van formats, it is available with Blue dCi 150 manual or Blue dCi 170 automatic powertrains. The model targets owner-drivers and small businesses seeking practicality with enhanced design and equipment. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/526/56


Expand horizons with new electric van


The Commerce Pro S trim has been added to Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ Transporter line-up, available as a panel van or Kombi from £43,050 (excl. VAT) or from £509 per month on a Solutions Personal Contract Plan. The Commerce Pro S features a sharper, design-led look with gloss black 17-inch alloys, body-coloured front splitter, extended rear spoiler and gloss black grille detailing. Off ered in short or long wheelbase with diesel and electric powertrains (eHybrid to follow), it combines professional presence with practicality, including fi ve-seat Kombi variants and fi nance deals alongside the brand’s 5+ Promise warranty and service package. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/526/58


Farizon has expanded its UK electric van line-up with the launch of the new V7E, a medium- sized electric van, positioned below the larger SV in the fi rm’s UK range. Orders open this month, with pricing starting at £29,000 on the road, excluding VAT and the plug-in van grant. It is off ered in a single L1H1


confi guration and uses lithium iron phosphate batteries, available in 50.23kWh and 67.67kWh capacities. The manufacturer cites a WLTP range of up to 149 miles for the smaller battery and 204 miles for the larger, with DC charging up to 100kW, enabling a


approximately 3% of all collisions in Great Britain. It is a legal requirement under the


Road Traffi c Act 1988 for motorists to keep their vehicle safe and roadworthy. Driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition can lead to fi nes of up to £2,500, three penalty points and even a driving ban. Greg Wilson, van insurance


expert and CEO at Quotezone. co.uk, says: “While ignoring or


delaying a service light may seem innocent, it could lead to dangerous consequences. “It’s important to understand


why warning lights must be addressed immediately. The requirement to keep up to date with repairs and checks will be included in the insurance policy, taking on the policy means drivers agree to maintain the vehicle to a roadworthy standard. Poor van maintenance is a big issue for insurers and leads to many invalidated claims. Not only that, it could result in problems with the law, such as hefty fi nes and penalty points. “Keeping a van in a roadworthy


condition also includes simple things like checking lightbulbs, and replacing worn out tyres – plus making sure brakes work and all windows and mirrors are clean each and every time it’s driven.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/526/54


Secure your ladders in seconds


Secure ladders to your van’s roof-bar setup in seconds with Rhino SafeClamp, a quick-release ladder-clamping system. The kit comprises a pair of clamps that attach to compatible roof bars to hold ladders securely during transport.


Each clamp features a composite-beam structure with a stainless steel anchor hook, designed to provide strength and resistance to corrosion in typical working conditions. A one-touch clamping action allows the user to secure or release the ladder by hand, without tools, and an integrated locking mechanism is included to help deter unauthorised removal. SafeClamp is designed to hold


up to three or four nested ladder sections, within a maximum width of 45cm. The clamps can be used with common rectangular or oval roof-bar sections up to about 40×40mm or equivalent. Designed to be operated without the need for an additional padlock, the clamp has undergone internal life-cycle testing as well as independent 20g crash testing and carries TÜV GS approval. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/526/57


20-80% recharge in 36 minutes. The Farizon V7E has a maximum


payload of 1,338kg and a load volume of 6.95m3


. It features


twin sliding doors and 270-degree rear doors, with a side opening wide enough for Euro pallets, and suffi cient length to carry three. Gross vehicle weight is 3,150kg, with a 110kW power output and a towing capacity of 1,000kg.


Inside, the two-seat cabin


includes a 12.3-inch touchscreen, smartphone connectivity, and multiple storage areas. A 220V socket in the load area provides up to 2.2kW. Driver assistance systems such


as adaptive cruise control and emergency braking are fi tted as standard. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/526/59


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