tips on buying a second hand Van

Amazin

I finally passed my driving test few weeks ago on the 14th attempt! Now I'm looking to buy a second hand van with a budget of around £3500. Hope thats decent. Any tips and advice for a newbie like me. This will be my first vechicle.

Should I avoid the ones with over 100k milage?
If a van is 10 years old, how much longer can I expect to last?

Thanks

Spicy_McHaggis

A ten year old van will be a £3500 gamble, good luck.

Look at the back springs, if they don't curve upwards it's spent a lifetime overloaded.

forgotmyname

How long will it last, Anything further than home will be a bonus.

Have you checked the insurance, Just passed your test and insuring a van may see a large chunk of that £3500 gone.

I dont buy cars with less than 120,000 miles. Service history and condition is everything.

You want a well serviced, tidy example thats been used to deliver feather pillows or polystyrene packaging.

Nice and light so the suspension wont be about to fall off.

colino

Do you need a van? What size, will it be hauling heavy loads long distance?
Bear in mind vans, and car derived vans, are commercials from new and will generally have their best years behind them when (if) they get to 5 years old and will always carry an insurance premium, no matter how knackered they are.

bugslet

As forgot myname says, service is everything, it denotes that it's belonged to a company/person that has had an interest in it.

As for not touching anything over a 100k - most vans are good for at least 200 - 250k. As regards transmission, try and find something that hasn't done multi drop.

I run Renault Masters and sold a couple of them over 300k mark, one at 365k and they were still running OK with original engine in. We do service and change oil more frequently than the suggested service schedule, run light weights long distance.

Amazin

A ten year old van will be a £3500 gamble, good luck.

really? are they that bad?:eek:

As for not touching anything over a 100k - most vans are good for at least 200 - 250k. As regards transmission, try and find something that hasn't done multi drop.

phewww thanks.

What size, will it be hauling heavy loads long distance?

looking for a medium sized van and yes it will be carrying heavy stuff

Have you checked the insurance, Just passed your test and insuring a van may see a large chunk of that £3500 gone.

I contacted A-plan and they told me they can't give me a quote unless I know exactly which van it is. I'm still expecting less than £1000.

Herzlos

Pick a van at random which is withing budget and suites your needs and get a quote on that, which should give you a better idea

Spicy_McHaggis

A grand should see you ok in an average postcode area.

forgotmyname

Less than £1000 for a new driver with zero no claims? Have you beed dancing with the fairies?

Pick a van at random off ebay or the autotrader and get a quote, Nephew tried a quote on a Fiesta van he had been offered cheaply after he crashed his first car. £8000 But he was 19.

But he never informed the insurance of the crash. He just scrapped the car.

Spicy_McHaggis

forgotmyname wrote: »

Less than £1000 for a new driver with zero no claims? Have you beed dancing with the fairies?

Pick a van at random off ebay or the autotrader and get a quote, Nephew tried a quote on a Fiesta van he had been offered cheaply after he crashed his first car. £8000 But he was 19.

But he never informed the insurance of the crash. He just scrapped the car.

Aviva fairies say £729 for a Transit.

londonTiger

surprise nobody asked. why did it take you 14 attempts to pass? how many years have you been learning to drive for? AFAIK there are 3-6 month wait for tests when i passed 6 years ago.