Hi guys, how much will a Van cost me per year all Van related bills included?

Momogeew

What are the figures that you've come up with - it would be good to know what they are.
Where will the van be kept - what will the costs be there ?
What utilities will you use .... water, sewerage, gas, elec ?
How will you get around the address/banking systems if you are going to live off the grid ?
Do you not work, how will that happen if you're living off the grid ?

WIAWSNB

More info, please, Margret.
(I'll have to check your previous threads to get the wider context of what Elsien has said re alternatives.)
What size of van? Will it need to be roadworthy? If so, the purchase price will undoubtedly be higher. And then it will need insuring (~£250pa?), Road Tax (~£200pa), MOT (£50pa), and maintenance & repairs (£?).
And fuel, which at 30mpg would be around £1k for 5k miles.

Emmia

I think just shoving a mattress in the back of a van will be very cold in winter. What's your plan for going to the loo? Showering? Feeding yourself?

Edit: You also describe yourself as being disabled with mental health issues in another thread - I really don't think living in a van is the best idea in these circumstances.

GDB2222

Someone mentioned living on a boat a while ago. That sounds more feasible as it would have some sort of washing facilities etc. 

A van has no huge advantage over a large tent, but a van is far more expensive. 

There is a chap who has a car with a caravan attached. He parks up for a few days, then moves on a mile or two, before the local authorities get too involved.

soolin

I've merged two threads as the question remains the same. 

One other thought - you ask about buying a van - the starter question should be how much do you have saved in cash to buy it? Many responses are being helpful, pointing out the likely costs- but it would be more useful to know if you have cash available of say £2000 or £15000 so that advice can be more targeted. 

born_again

Op has made no mention of their skills & tools to convert a van or where they would do it.

Just chucking a mattress in the back is not going to be much fun come winter & cold, or summer & heat.

I know this is based on living in a bus. But search out 6 in a bus on utube. They have done a video on the costs of living in a bus compared to a house. 

Herzlos

Margret1994 said:

So when I bought my first car a long time ago it didnt cost that much it already had an MOT and road tax, I handed over 900 odd pounds,  then I got the cheapest insurance I could and didnt drive it much so fuel wasnt much. 

So from my memory it doesn't cost that much. Am I wrong? 

I wont drive it that much. 

Can you advise on what the costs will be per year? (make the decisions as if you were in my situation and you were buying a cheap van to LIVE in the back of)

(like a flat but Ill just chuck a mattress in the back)

Where are you going to park it? Will it be driven at all?

If you're talking about a basic van with a matress that you're going to just leave in public spaces you're going to be miserable. 

If you can get permission to set up on someones land, and get power/water then it might be bearable but in that case you'd be better with a caravan. 

From the other thread you're disabled, on benefits and homeless, so the council should be providing you with suitable accomodation that doesn't involve you essentially sleeping rough in a van. 

soolin

born_again said:

Op has made no mention of their skills & tools to convert a van or where they would do it.

Just chucking a mattress in the back is not going to be much fun come winter & cold, or summer & heat.

I know this is based on living in a bus. But search out 6 in a bus on utube. They have done a video on the costs of living in a bus compared to a house. 

The OP has not been able to answer the simple questions around access to toileting and basic amenities such as personal hygiene, cooking etc. I suspect this is more of an idea rather than a serious consideration. 

I do watch some van lifers on Youtube, some do live out of a smallish van. but they have cooking facilities and water- and tend to take out gym subscriptions for showering etc - which isn't cheap for a national gym pass. Even then it looks difficult, you can't sleep in an unventilated van without causing health issues, yet leaving any vent etc in an unconverted van leaves sole travelers vulnerable to potential thieves or worse.  They often get moved on in the middle of the night, or else have to pay overnight parking and a few I've watched in the past have developed quite serious mental health conditions due to the constant moving on and feelings of vulnerability in some areas. 

A couple of years back I watched a guy who had a very simple set up- and a sort of modern primus stove that was outdoor use only. He had been living on basically dry bread for several days as he was parked remotely in awful weather conditions and couldn't set up a primus to even boil water for a hot drink. From memory when he scraped up enough money for petrol and a bed he checked into a Cheap boarding house for a few days just to get some respite and get a hot bath. 

Margret1994

Ok mates I found a van for only 700 pounds on my first search on ebay, it has 200,000 miles on the clock and its a small van almost the size of a car.

There are other bigger vans for more money like 1000 odd

How likely is this 700 pound van going to break down in a major way financially?. 

Is it foolish to buy a van this cheap? Why? (most are thousands even tens of thousands)

The next biggest cost is the insurance correct? How much is that 200 pounds?

soolin

Margret1994 said:

Ok mates I found a van for only 700 pounds on my first search on ebay, it has 200,000 miles on the clock and its a small van almost the size of a car.

There are other bigger vans for more money like 1000 odd

How likely is this 700 pound van going to break down in a major way financially?. 

Is it foolish to buy a van this cheap? Why? (most are thousands even tens of thousands)

The next biggest cost is the insurance correct? How much is that 200 pounds?

If you read back through the thread some suggestions of cost have been made. Insurance though depends on a number of factors, location, vehicle and whether you have any no claims bonus. You can get a dummy quote with care, I’ll leave someone with more knowledge though to explain how to get a dummy quote without causing problems further down the line.

regarding the van, are you paying cash as if so you may have room for negotiation. What warranty and what paperwork comes with it, private or business seller, how long has the MOT got left to run? Are you in a position to check it over mechanically?

Have you considered all the questions raised above about personal hygiene, cooking etc and are you sure that your full benefits will remain payable if you are off no fixed abode? ( I have little knowledge of benefits but others will know)