Crossword Genius

Damage the vehicle, a sled, I then repair (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

vandalise

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'damage' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'vehicle a sled i then repair' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'vehicle' could be 'van' (type of vehicle) and 'van' is found in the answer.
'a' is present in the answer.
'i' is within the answer.
an anagram of 'sled' is 'dlse' which is present in the left over letters.
This accounts for all the letters.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'the' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for vandalise that I've seen before include "Inflict malicious damage" , "Destroy" , "Wilfully damage" , "Deliberately damage" , "trash" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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