How to Buy a New or Used Van

Vans are not like cars.  They have usually been out to work all day every day, rather than sitting on someone’s drive while they are at work.  Once they have been cleaned up and painted it is sometimes difficult to tell a 100,000 mile example from a 10,000 miler.

If you are starting up a new business or need to replace your old van the first place to start is on-line.  Sure there are magazines like the auto trader and specialist van magazines like Van Finder Weekly – but a quick whiz around the internet should give you results straight away.  Try the specialist sites like vans for sale at vanlocator.co.uk for vans for sale.  They list used and new vans for sale and you can not only find the ones closest to you, but also sort the results by the cheapest weekly price, monthly price or outright purchase price.  On the site there is lots of information regarding current van makes and models to help with researching the right van for you.  Once you have narrowed down the make and model, simply enter this into a classified advertising site like auto trader, ebay or vanlocator and you will be given a list of vans to choose from. 

Pay attention to the number of owners the vehicle has had and find out what type of work it has previously been used for.  Many of the sites will have multiple phots of the vans to help you.

To help you, the most popular manufacturers in the UK are in order Ford, (Transit, Connect, Ranger, Fiesta), Vauxhall, (Movano, Vivaro, Combo, Astravan, Corsavan), Mercedes-Benz, (Sprinter, Vito), Citroen, (Relay, Dispatch, Partner, Partner First, Nemo), Renault, (Master, Trafic, Kangoo, Clio), Peugeot, (Boxer, Expert, Partner, Bipper, 206), Nissan (Interstar, Primastar, Kubistar, Cabstar, Navara, NP200 Pick up), Fiat, (Ducato, Doblo, Fiorino), Toyota, (Hiace, Hilux), Mitsubishi, (L200), Iveco, (Daily, Massiv), LDV (Maxus), Isuzu (Rodeo), Isuzu Truck (NPR), Mazda (BT-50)

Go for the larger manufacturers to ensure a ready supply of spare parts and easy access to servicing.  Ford have led the market with vans since for ever.  More info at www.fordtransituk.co.uk for information and specifications.