Buyers Beware – Used Van Buyers Guides, Tips & Hints…
Buying a second hand van might not be something that everyone has done before, vans are commercial vehicles and so can appeal to those who may never have used one before let alone bought one before. For this reason the team at Van Website have produced this little buying guide so that you can be somewhat more informed if this is a 1st purchase. Even those who drive vans for a living or operate in the commercial sector of logistics and transportation may find this buying guide useful. So read on and inform yourself with our Buyers beware used van purchasing guide.
Mileage… How many times has it been to the moon and back?
Used vans often come with higher-than-average miles on them. Providing a van has been somewhat well looked after buy a high mileage used van is not a problem. In-fact it can be a rather convincing haggling token to keep in your pocket for the right time.
Private Owners Vans vs. Business Owned Vans
Service history is important with a used van as described above but, many vans can be maintained with ease by owners. Privately owned vans may frequently be purchased by ‘handy’ individuals for whom the thought of changing the oil and cleaning a filter does not stress them. Equipped with tools most vans can be serviced with ease.
Commercially owned vehicles or previously leased vans often make great second hand purchases as their service history will nine times out of ten be performed by ‘main dealers’ where everything will likely have been replaced during the term of the lease agreement.
Second Hands Vans & VAT
Deciding on a private sale or business sale when buying a second hand van can have VAT considerations for the purchaser. Often private vans will be advertised as ‘NO VAT’ where commercial used vans or those being sold by businesses will often have VAT added to the price seen on for sale adverts.
If you are VAT registered, buying a second hand van can be rewarding in terms of offsetting any over or under investment in VAT applicable goods and services. Therefore, buying a van which has VAT can be beneficial to some people and so should be considered in any used van purchase.
Condition – It’s immaculate mate!
Which van to choose? The high end Mercedes Vito or the practical Citroen Berlingo? Because vans are used and sometimes abused the condition of second hand vans can vary massively… MASSIVELY! So if you are looking for a van which will impress your customers or simply do the job then the condition of a used van might not matter all too much. Sometimes a good valet clean is all a used van will really need but if the vehicle in question has been used as a serious work horse then dents, scratches, bumps, dings, bits missing, bits covered in things which simply cannot be removed and basically a hell hole on wheels, then perhaps another van might be along soon.
Location – Where in the heck is that?
Yes, going to see a used van can mean getting in a car and travelling, especially if shopping for a particular van. The second hand van market is a buoyant place and frequently sees a cycle of vehicles passing through. Instead of deciding on a brand of van or one manufacturer, expand a search by deciding on the size of van required. This can then mean more vans are available in your local area where a buyer is 200% more likely to buy from. At the end of the day proximity sells vehicles so search locally for what is available as second hand vans are somewhat disposable once they have served their purpose as a tool.
Previous Use, Decals, Modifications, Livery and Graphics
Was it a gas fitters van or a bricklayers, was it one of those surveyors vans who really don’t need a van to carry a clipboard and pencil about. Who’s the van was before you is important in the second hand market. Getting to know a second hand van can be quickly surmised by looking at its previous owners and where possible meeting them to negotiate a sale. Check out the surroundings, are you to meet in a pub? Why, whats wrong with the sellers house? Meeting the seller and understanding what the van was used for previously can be a good step forwards towards a confident van purchase.
Buying a van is easy, buying a good van not so much, use your instincts and if you are not mechanically aware then try to take someone with you who knows a bit about cars or vans or engines. Use your eye and make sure to ask for a test drive. You dont have to drive the van yourself just as-long as you sit in the van whilst it is being driven can reveal knocks, bangs and also gives you a chance to talk to the seller in private.