Van owners reveal the biggest drawback to owning a large vehicle as they feel pressure from friends and family

SEVEN in 10 van owners say the biggest drawback to owning a larger vehicle is it frequently being borrowed by family and friends.

A poll, of 500 van drivers, said owning one can come with its downfalls as relatives and pals want to use it for their own needs.

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Moving furniture, visits to the tip and collecting big items from homeware stores were among the top reasons people needed a van-loan.

But 24 per cent said they are rarely or never offered money to cover the cost of using it, and 18 per cent feel uncomfortable saying no when somebody asks.

And 58 per cent feel their weekends often get wasted emptying and reloading their vehicle to help others.

Sten Saar, CEO for  which commissioned the research, said: “Vans definitely come in handy from time to time.

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“For people who don’t own one, knowing someone who has got one can be incredibly useful - especially if they’re a close friend.

“But it’s sometimes worth thinking about the person on the other side of the transaction too, and how they might feel that sometimes they’re nothing more than four wheels and a massive boot.”

The study also found half of van drivers have felt pressure to lend their van to family or friends.

And 30 per cent have wound up in a conflict with someone due to a disagreement over their van’s use, according to the OnePoll figures.

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More than four in 10 (42 per cent) have even had to cancel their own plans to accommodate someone else’s request to use their van.

While 44 per cent have fielded requests to borrow it from neighbours, 43 per cent from colleagues - and 24 per cent from a complete stranger.

Sadly, for 40 per cent of van owners, their vehicles are often returned in a worse condition than before they lent them out.

And 55 per cent of those who have let others drive their vans have had to make a claim on their insurance afterwards.

As a result, 52 per cent have set boundaries regarding their vehicle’s usage, such as promising to give it back in the same condition it went out in (47 per cent) or only giving it out on certain days (26 per cent).

Sten Saar, from Zego, added: “Lending someone your van can be a really helpful thing to do.

“But it’s vital to ensure your insurance is all up to date, and your policy allows this kind of use for your vehicle.

“You could end up with issues a lot more serious than simply falling out with someone because they didn’t refuel it before handing it back.”