Buying first van nowadays

[armyash]

Ok so looking at getting my first van in 6-12 months (possibly sooner and regardless of if i go self employed) Clearly keeping costs down is important when getting started in business but that doesn't mean i'm going to buy an old banger just needs to be respectable looking and reliable enough to get me to jobs lol. Would be crazy to splash out on a brand spanking new van just for there to be no work and leave myself with no dosh to fall back on. Just wondering if you guys were starting out today what would you be looking at spending on your first van? For the sake of the thread lets say i have everything else i need to get started.

I'm thinking between 2-3k. Sorry if this a boring pointless post just trying to get a head start on everything and get myself organised.
Thanks

 

[villa_tom]

I bought my first van for 3k. I shopped around a bit and eventually found a good deal. My van is a 56 reg but it has a fair few miles on it hence the price. Most of the vans I looked atwhere alot more expensive.

Finding a good small van was hard but I got there in the end and within my budget

 

[dontknowitall]

Most, if not all, of us have been here.

I bought a 53 plate 60,000 first van (Transit Connect) and after a couple of years bought a Transit 07 on 60,000 miles. Thought this would last me till retirement but I reckon I'll be looking again within 3 years (knowing my motoring history).

If you look on vans in exactly the same way as cars (depreciation first, other costs second) you won't be too far out.

Accountants might suggest leasing, bankers might suggest loan, dealers might suggest hire purchase but at the end of the day if you own your office outright it is probably more economical in the long term.

 

[armyash]

Most, if not all, of us have been here.

I bought a 53 plate 60,000 first van (Transit Connect) and after a couple of years bought a Transit 07 on 60,000 miles. Thought this would last me till retirement but I reckon I'll be looking again within 3 years (knowing my motoring history).

If you look on vans in exactly the same way as cars (depreciation first, other costs second) you won't be too far out.

Accountants might suggest leasing, bankers might suggest loan, dealers might suggest hire purchase but at the end of the day if you own your office outright it is probably more economical in the long term.

Thanks for the fast replies guy. I'll more than likely make £2500 my minimum. I wouldn't consider leasing/loaning etc as you say more economical in the long run to own outright and peace of mind too as it's one less regular outgoing to worry about. Decent amount of service history and not massive mileage will seal the deal for me although beggars cant be choosers so will shop around

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

well your budget is realistic so you should get something decent but be warned look carefully at what you buy i just changed my van bought it off a dealer cylinder head failed 2 weeks later he payed for it but the inconvenience was immense,i thought i knew a lot about cars i was getting a engine under pressure when cold and slight streaking on the header tank,the van drove normal and did not overheat,now its fixed cost the dealer 1200 quid to sort out,when you buy off a car dealer you have more protection in law than a private or auction sale

 

[SimonG]

First van was Toyota HiAce, £1200 from e-bay, high miles no history but a cracking runner only had issues with contacts in starter motor, apparently a common fault. After driving it into the ground traded in for Citreon Dispatch on a 51 £1800, high miles, slow, but always got me there. Next came a leased Transit Connect, £150 a month and all I had to do was put diesel in and insurance. When they tried to put it up to £212 this time last year I bought another. Fiat Doblo Cargo 1.9 on a 07 plate £3490, high miles but service history and recent timing belt. Just the right size, splashed out on truck rax roof bars and pipe rack. Little bit thirsty, but i have a very heavy right foot

I would say go for good service history and don't be afraid of something thats got a good few miles on. If it's been serviced regular then the miles shouldn't be an issue.

 

[GQuigley67]

payed £4500 from auction for my 56 reg mk7 transit, 88,000 miles. Spent £1k to get it to pass its MOT, will need to spend another £200 for EGR Valve but Im just going to unplug it for now. Expensive lesson learned though lol

to be fair buying it from a dealer would of been dearer even without VAT ontop but it would of been much less hassle

 

[SafeGasInstall]

first van transit 4.4k for 04 plate about 3 years ago ! sold 1 year later back for 4k put 1k on top for 58 plate VW transpoorter which had 13k miles now year 2 and has 27k miles on ! love it all I do is put diesel and drive , might need new break pads next year and keep topping up the oil he drinks more oil then i beer

 

[Blackcatgas]

you will get a respectable looking van for that money.

 

[SafeGasInstall]

competition here is very high

 

[Dannypipe]

You can buy my van if you want. Its white, with four wheels...one careful owner....the rest didn't give a crap....

Seriously though....I tell everyone this. Go the your local commercial veichle auction. You'll save money and if you get something ex fleet it will have been serviced reguarly.

 

[unguided1]

I usualy pay around £500 for my vans but they must have at least 12 months ticket I then drive em into the ground, I can usually get them to survive at least 3 years and through experiance I have found that by buying old dogs with out all the fancy electrics means that they are much easier for me to repair em, I have never given a stuff about what customers think of the vehicle I am driving as I am usually with them to sort out their plumbing requirements not for them to see what I spend my profits on

 

[CES]

My first and second vans were a Seat Ibiza and a Vauxhall Combo, both 02 plate. I got them for about £1200 each from a used van dealer, never had any bother with them until I traded them in for a brand new shiny Vivaro. As someone said before I agree its better to buy outright if you have the cash.

 

[lozza3k]

i would say go to auction and get yourself some savings but iv been in the car game a long time so i know what to look for! if you have mechanic friend i would suggest them going with you as there is so much tat out there in the auctions. Iv got my latest van from auction 03 astra 1.7 TD with 90k on clock for 600 smackers which i was chuffed about. had no power steering but that was due to the alternator knackered. £60 to replace and like magic the power steering kicked into life as electrical steering. so you can get bargains there but just be carful if you do go down that road.

 

[armyash]

Great replies to another thread of mine picking brains for info cheers guys

 

[GQuigley67]

when bidding at auctions also, remember whatever you bid for you have VAT and auction fees ontop of that, I bidded £3500 but ended up paying £4568. I got an ex-lease van so full service history although it was in bad shape when i bought it (no MOT power steering dry due to leak, dead alternator, worn brake pads and discs, broken leef spring, few blown bulbs, faulty EGR Valve) after some TLC and a little help from mechanics I know, I managed to save some money in getting it repaired although was still an expensive repair, but compared to dealers for the same van with more mileage it was still cheaper.

 

[Mikey456]

We just bought a vw caddy blue 04 plate 62000 miles £3400. Its been signwritten now and it looks much better than the vivaro we've got. So you'll easily find a decent van for that minimum

 

[AWheating]

dont forget to budget for roof rack, security etc.... with any look you will find one with a rack already on.

 

[kay-jay]

I usualy pay around £500 for my vans but they must have at least 12 months ticket I then drive em into the ground, I can usually get them to survive at least 3 years and through experiance I have found that by buying old dogs with out all the fancy electrics means that they are much easier for me to repair em, I have never given a stuff about what customers think of the vehicle I am driving as I am usually with them to sort out their plumbing requirements not for them to see what I spend my profits on

im with ug1 on this! ive got better things to spend my 60k on :lol:

 

[cr0ft]

I got a beautiful Renault Master ex-BG van for £3000 when I started out. It had 35k on the clock and was 8 years old. Came with all the racking, ladder racks and pipe carriers I needed to get started. Personally I couldn't work from a smaller van. I love big vans but that's just me

 

[armyash]

I got a beautiful Renault Master ex-BG van for £3000 when I started out. It had 35k on the clock and was 8 years old. Came with all the racking, ladder racks and pipe carriers I needed to get started. Personally I couldn't work from a smaller van. I love big vans but that's just me

That sounds like a good bargain! I would prefer a bigger van too