Useful tips for buying a used van
The wagons used are the workhorse. This is your trusty steed that takes you from one job to another every day. It needs to be robust, reliable, economical, and long-lasting.
Different tasks require different vans, however, with so many different vans to choose from, the actual work of choosing the right van for you can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be.
How to buy a used van? To help, we’ve put together a comprehensive van buying guide to make the process easier. This guide covers what to consider as you try to decide which van is right for you and your business, as well as what to look out for once you arrive to view and test drive the vehicle.
Tips for buying a used van: size
Perhaps the most important aspect is that it is very important to choose the right size van.
While car-derived vans can be used for a variety of different scenarios, those who need to carry larger loads will have to consider medium- and even large-sized vans.
That being said, running a wagon that’s larger than you need can have an unnecessarily negative impact on running costs. Not only are large vans more expensive to buy, but they are also more expensive to run in terms of fuel economy and maintenance because they have larger engines. Essentially, you might be paying for space you don’t need.
Minivans are very efficient, and the best vans are larger than you might think, especially the versions with an extended wheelbase or roof height.
Find load height, load length, load width, and total load capacity on the Vehicle Specifications tab of the online Used Van ad to help you decide which one you need.
Weight
Gross Vehicle Mass (GVW) and Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) are the maximum allowable weights that take into account the driver, passengers, cargo, fuel, and fluids such as oil and coolant.
These are two acronyms that you need to be very familiar with as a van owner. Carrying too much and being overweight can have serious consequences; You may be fined and demerit points on your driver’s license.
Not only are you at the mercy of the law, but it is also very unsafe to carry goods beyond the purpose of your van. Brakes, suspension, and steering components are only designed to be transported in specific quantities, and exceeding that number can cause catastrophic damage while driving.
Make a note of the GVM/GVW and payload (i.e., GVM minus kerbweight) numbers for the van you’re looking at, and do some calculations to see if it fits the weight of the cargo you need to carry.
Towing
Another number you need to pay attention to (if you’re going to tow, that is) is the Gross Train Mass (GTW), also known as the Gross Mass of the Train (GTM). This is the maximum total weight that a vehicle is allowed to tow and carry at the same time in its cargo area.
This number comes in handy if you need extra loading space once in a while but don’t always need it. This way you can get a minivan to keep running costs low and install a trailer when you need some extra space. Learn more in our towing guide.
How to buy a used van: types of vans
Used vans come in many different shapes, sizes, and uses. Some of the most popular are:
- Panel van: Standard van with two/three seats in the front and a rear cargo area separated by a partition
- Crew cab/double cab/combi: Two rows of seats and a rear cargo area separated by a partition
- Chassis single cab : Cab ready for conversion with single row seats, bulkhead and open chassis
- Chassis Dual Cab: Cab with two rows of seats, bulkhead and open chassis available for modification
- Van van: Pre-modified chassis cab with a large cube loading area – usually with a tail lift
- Luton vans: large loading areas across the cabin – usually equipped with a tail lift
- Lo-loader: A box wagon that electronically lowers itself close to the ground for easy loading
- Minibuses: The entire loading area is occupied by seats and has side windows
Tips for buying a used van: type of fuel
Once upon a time, diesel was the only option for van engines. Nowadays, however, there are several different powertrains to consider:
- Gasoline cars
- Diesel vans
- Plug-in hybrid vans
- Electric vans
All of these different fuel types have different benefits, so the key is to use the right fuel for you.
Passenger
Most mid-to-large vans have three seats in the front, while car-derived vans have only the standard two seats.
The minivan comes with two or three seats, depending on how they are specified when they are new, so just because you see only two seats doesn’t mean another example of the same make and model won’t have three.
Many mid-size and large vans are also available in a “combined” or “crew compartment” layout, which means they have an additional row of seats and a cargo area that can carry up to 5 passengers.
Operating costs
Choosing the right used van size and weight will greatly reduce your running costs, but there are other factors at play.
Reliability is important because if your van has a problem and isn’t on the road, not only will you have to pay for repairs, but you may also lose revenue if your business can’t deliver or go out to meet customers. Make sure the used van you buy has been thoroughly inspected and provided with a clean health certificate before purchasing.
Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) and vans
Like cars, vans are subject to ULEZ rules. This means that if your vehicle does not meet emissions regulations, there is a daily fee to enter ULEZ in London and other major cities.
Diesel goods vehicles must comply with Euro 6 standards to avoid tolls, while petrol goods vehicles must comply with Euro 4 standards.
It is likely that any used diesel van registered from 2016 onwards will have a Euro 6 compliant engine, and any petrol van from 2006 onwards should also be Euro 6 compliant.
Financial options
How to buy a used van: Van Finance is an important consideration when buying a used one, as there are several different options. If you’re financing, consider what would happen if your cash flow dropped suddenly. What fits well will depend entirely on the type of business you have and the cash available.
Hire Purchase is one of the most popular ways to finance a van, allowing you to break down the cost of a lorry into manageable monthly payments.
PCP financing is increasingly available to used van buyers (depending on age and mileage), especially those who are buying for private use.
Security & Technology
Tips for buying a used van: Modern vans are safer than ever, but more and more safety features are added to new versions every year.
In fact, crash testing specialist Euro NCAP now rates commercial vans based on the level of autonomous driving technology that comes standard. For example, the latest-generation Ford Transit received a gold rating, while the Citroen Dispatch received a bronze rating. The Vauxhall Vivaro and Ford Transit Custom are Silver rated.
Technological features such as Bluetooth and satellite navigation will help drivers stay connected and informed on the road, so be aware of these.
Inspection and test drive
It’s important to take the time to have a proper inspection of your vehicle – either yourself or a professional mechanic. Ensuring you find a well-maintained van will undoubtedly save you cash in the long run.
The list of items to check includes:
Bodywork
The body is usually a good sign of the overall condition of the truck. Check that the doors fit snugly and that the paint condition is appropriate for the vehicle’s mileage. Look for rusty, uneven panels, or any signs of repair work.
Tire
The tires should even go all the way across the front and rear axles. Good quality tires are usually a sign that the van is being maintained.
Engine
The engine should always be inspected first in the cold state, as a preheated engine can hide potential problems. When you’re looking at the van, call ahead and ask for the engine to be cold when you arrive.
brake
Test the brakes thoroughly; They should react immediately to your application, and the pedal stroke should be short and firm.
Time out
Finding suspension on a van is a no-brainer. If you push hard down in every corner of the vehicle, you’ll be able to see how it springs back. If the wagon bounces once and returns to normal, the suspension and shock absorbers are fine, and any further bounce could indicate a problem.
lamp
The lights are a good indication of the overall electrical health of the van. If they flicker or dim strangely, then think twice when buying; Trucks can have serious potential electrical issues that can be very expensive to repair later.
Air conditioning
The air conditioning can be easily checked. The fan should work well on all settings, and when you turn on the air conditioner, the air should get cold and the temperature gets low.
Steering
The steering response of the van should be smooth and predictable, and there should not be any excessive clearance in the steering wheel. If it feels particularly vague, it could be a sign of an underlying steering or suspension problem.
In-house
Interior condition is another way to determine the life and overall condition of a truck. When you’re sitting inside the van, make sure all windows and electronics are working properly. Look at the dashboard to make sure no warning lights are flashing or staying on after the engine starts. Check the seat for excessive wear and make sure the seat belt and lock are functioning properly.
Tips for buying a used van: paperwork
Paperwork is something you should check thoroughly. Ask for details of repair history and any recent work carried out, and check the wagon’s MOT history.
Used Van Buying FAQs: How to Buy Used Van Prices
What do H1, H2, and H3 stand for?
H1, H2, H3 are the different heights at which the vehicle enters. H1 is the shortest and H3 is the highest.
What do L1, L2, and L3 stand for?
L1, L2, L3 are the different lengths of vehicle entry. L1 is the shortest and L3 is the longest.
What do SWB and LWB stand for?
SWB stands for short wheelbase and LWB stands for long wheelbase. The long-wheelbase version will provide more loading space.
How much is my used van worth?
To find out the value of a parts exchange, contact your nearest dealer.
What is Van?
A van is a chassis cab van with a large cube “box” in the rear for loading cargo. They usually have double rear doors or roller shutters and are often fitted with a tail lift to facilitate loading.
What is a Luton Van?
The Luton van is similar to the van in that it has a large cube-shaped van in the rear, which is separate from the cabin. They also provide some storage space above the cabin.
What kind of van can I drive?
Anyone with a full UK driving licence can drive a van with a GVM of 3,500 kg. This means that most drivers can operate a standard van, van, Luton van or even a chassis cab.
