Tips when buying a used van Private or Trade?

mrandmrsm

Hi,

All new to this hence the need for advice.
We are in the fortunate position of being able to set up a business in cash as don't want any loans or debts hanging over our heads if everything went wrong in this economy.
We are looking for a used van (like a Citroen Berlingo/ Vauxhall Combo type) for no more than £3,000, best mileage and most recent reg etc.

Looking primarily on AutoTrader - would it be okay to buy from a Private Seller?
What if any benefits do you get from a Trade Seller?
Also are there any other ways of protecting ourselves when buying this way?

s_b

3g for a commercial like this is banger territory
if you buy private its probably still on finance if too good to be true
on a pitch and too good to be true its probably been clocked

up the ante or be prepared to buy a leemon

Strider590

Tips when buying a used van Private or Trade?

Avoid p!key's

mrandmrsm

No offence - I may be new to this but....
We have seen good quality 2007 plate, under 70,000 mileage vans for less than £3k hence our price range.

What I would really appreciate is some tips on protecting ourselves when buying this way.

Lithian

Buying from a trade seller they are bound by the sale of goods act which gives you *some* protection if its a lemon. However it can be a bit tricky in some cases to put this to use, especially with less reputable traders. Due to this you will pay more.

Buying privately once you do the deal thats you, no returns (unless the seller is especially charitable)

Either way an hpi type check should be performed (before you buy) which will tell you if it has outstanding finance or has been written off by an insurer in the past.

As for which van i have no idea

forgotmyname

Common trap.. Best mileage and most recent reg...

You should buy on condition not age & mileage.

Shame i dont have the link for the company that were selling an 8 year old van with a genuine mileage
of less than 2000 miles.
It was on its 2nd engine rebuild.

Used to patrol a compound and the time it was ever turned off was when refuelling.

Or the one where it travelled a few hundred yards up and down a jetty every day.


Low mileage is not everything. Condition is.

marlot

Don't forget that vans are often advertised excluding VAT - as many of the people who buy them will be VAT registered so able to reclaim it