what van?

[Guest123]

I was looking at getting a brand new LWB Transit next month, but all these good reviews about the Citreon Relay are making me think about having a look at that too. Do Citreon do a LWB medium roof Relay and in what engine size and most importantly is it any good?

 

[R1CKY]

Been thinking about a new van myself. My Caddy is a bit too small for my needs, Relays seem to be good value. The HDI engines are strong units, good for 200k+, Citroens ad Peugeots tend to be galvanised, so no worry of rust.

Just a shame about the build quality!

 

[tonto33]

Brought Vauxhall Vivaro Sportive lwb month ago just had it remap from 115bhp to 150bhp, but if could of afford it would of got Vw crafter

 

[StillLearnin]

Thankfully I work for others and get provided with a van.... currently have an 2011 Transit, swb but hi top .... it's nice. Previously had Relay and Despatch, both lovely.... out of preference would like a hi-top, swb Relay. Have considered going alone, and if I did would probably opt for a contract .... it's part of taking the risk of going alone and at least the van will start every morning and not prevent you getting to work.

 

[michael c]

How olds your transit system? Im stuck between transit and the relay at the minute. You can get the relay in all the same sizes as the transit with a 2.2 engine.

 

[R1CKY]

I do like Transits, but can't cope with the corrosion, poor fuel consumption and engine faults. Best driving van I've ever driven though.

 

[Ray Stafford]

Do the full costings before you decide to buy second hand against leasing/contract hire.

I know that you are setting up on your own, and will want to keep your overheads down, but it can work out cheaper to have a new van on a lease. Its not hard to get through a couple of grand a year on MOT, repairs, missed work etc if you pick a bad 'un.

We run mostly new vans on contract hire - not because we are rich, but because experience has taught us that its generally the cheapest option overall. The only time we run vans older than 3 years is when we have had the van for the first 3 years on a contract and know its history - then we might buy it from the contract hire company, particularly if we have dented the bodywork (which is really expensive when you hand it back).

It might be worth using £1k of the money you were going to spend on a 2nd hand van as the deposit, and putting the rest away against the possibility of having a quiet month - you will have a few months of van payments sitting in the bank.

 

[michael c]

Brought Vauxhall Vivaro Sportive lwb month ago just had it remap from 115bhp to 150bhp, but if could of afford it would of got Vw crafter

Would love a crafter but funds just wont allow it. Thinking of going to auctions in a couple of weeks

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

03,but its provisionally sold got to clean it to day to send some piccies off

if it does not go to its new home(will know in a few days) you interested?

 

[Guest123]

Seriously looking at a LWB Relay now. Most of the reviews online have been very positive. Plus it's only £235 a month brand new with all the toys like satnav etc on Contract or lease hire.
I love my Transit but they are greedy buggers on the diesel, paying for a brand new Relay with it's lower fuel consumption is looking a very attractive proposition.

 

[michael c]

Do the full costings before you decide to buy second hand against leasing/contract hire.

I know that you are setting up on your own, and will want to keep your overheads down, but it can work out cheaper to have a new van on a lease. Its not hard to get through a couple of grand a year on MOT, repairs, missed work etc if you pick a bad 'un.

We run mostly new vans on contract hire - not because we are rich, but because experience has taught us that its generally the cheapest option overall. The only time we run vans older than 3 years is when we have had the van for the first 3 years on a contract and know its history - then we might buy it from the contract hire company, particularly if we have dented the bodywork (which is really expensive when you hand it back).

It might be worth using £1k of the money you were going to spend on a 2nd hand van as the deposit, and putting the rest away against the possibility of having a quiet month - you will have a few months of van payments sitting in the bank.

Thanks for the advice ray, i am terrified of getting a bad one but plan to keep for 3-5 years if i can just terrified i take on too much upfront. My current van cost me 1700 quid and mechanically it is good so i have been tempted to bodge and keep for another year .

 

[michael c]

if it does not go to its new home(will know in a few days) you interested?

no sorry mate was tempted at 1st but want something newer now plus the distance your away is a bit much

 

[Ray Stafford]

Thanks for the advice ray, i am terrified of getting a bad one but plan to keep for 3-5 years if i can just terrified i take on too much upfront. My current van cost me 1700 quid and mechanically it is good so i have been tempted to bodge and keep for another year .

If its been sound, then hang on to it, and try to stick away a few quid when you can against the day you need it.

The trouble with vans is that there comes a point where you are throwing good money after bad, but you can't tell that at the time - you only realise it when you get the third bill in 6 months.

 

[villa_tom]

The trouble with vans is that there comes a point where you are throwing good money after bad, but you can't tell that at the time - you only realise it when you get the third bill in 6 months.

This is where I'm at now. I've had my van 3 years on a 56 plate. I had no bother at all for the first two years and in the past year it's broken down 3 times, cost me roughly 600 in repairs and about 2.5k in earrings :-(

its been a good van though, its done nearly 190k miles so its due an update.

Once I've got m house sorted ill have a real good look, I've got 7k put aside, separate from my house deposit for a van.

Im looking at a brand new one and looking at pre registered ones as they are cheaper. Looking to spend about 12k, I should be able to get a dispatch or an expert for that.

At the moment I'm driving a berlingo and finding space an issue, so a slightly bigger van will be better 🙂

 

[michael c]

It will cost 1500-2000 to get my van how i want it. Anyone want to donate a good van to me

 

[michael c]

This is where I'm at now. I've had my van 3 years on a 56 plate. I had no bother at all for the first two years and in the past year it's broken down 3 times, cost me roughly 600 in repairs and about 2.5k in earrings :-(

its been a good van though, its done nearly 190k miles so its due an update.

Once I've got m house sorted ill have a real good look, I've got 7k put aside, separate from my house deposit for a van.

Im looking at a brand new one and looking at pre registered ones as they are cheaper. Looking to spend about 12k, I should be able to get a dispatch or an expert for that.

At the moment I'm driving a berlingo and finding space an issue, so a slightly bigger van will be better 🙂

You can get a pre reg transit/relay for 12k mate

 

[Ray Stafford]

in the past year it's broken down 3 times, cost me roughly 600 in repairs and about 2.5k in earrings :-(

OUch!

 

[villa_tom]

You can get a pre reg transit/relay for 12k mate

To be honest I've not really had a real look. I'd like an expert/partner as I've driven one before. I've driven a transit and didnt like it, I had one for 6 months when I worked at the council.

Slightly off topic, but does anyone know the best place to look for pre registered vans?

 

[villa_tom]

OUch!

Its been a killer. One breakdown was sorted on the spot.

One was a clutch, and took four days to sort. And the other one was a power steering pump, that took three days to sort.

Its not so up much the days off that kills my earnings, its the fact that the time off makes me loose my monthly bonus :-(

 

[iain85]

Yes was always worried about how much the rental firms would sting you for when your returning the van after contract hires. Has anyone done this and not bought the van after? Also Ray did they give you decent price when you bought it off the hire firm? Also what happens of you hire a van through a ltd company and then have to close the ltd company down, who's liable for the van? Can you just hand it back?

 

[R1CKY]

If its been sound, then hang on to it, and try to stick away a few quid when you can against the day you need it.

The trouble with vans is that there comes a point where you are throwing good money after bad, but you can't tell that at the time - you only realise it when you get the third bill in 6 months.

But sometimes it is wise to "Better the devil you know".

I don't want to ditch my Caddy, it is in good visual condition, has a simple non-turbocharged engine that fires up in miliseconds even in the depths of winter, had the cambelt changed, rear brakes overhauled, new front discs and pads, spent just shy of £400 having it sign written but I'm finding it too small for my needs now.

 

[Ray Stafford]

Yes was always worried about how much the rental firms would sting you for when your returning the van after contract hires. Has anyone done this and not bought the van after? Also Ray did they give you decent price when you bought it off the hire firm? Also what happens of you hire a van through a ltd company and then have to close the ltd company down, who's liable for the van? Can you just hand it back?

Never hand a vehicle back with dents if you can possibly avoid it. Get a local body shop to sort it. Also, check that all the bits are there - jack, spare wheel, service record, spare key - they charge like a wounded Rhino for those things. And clean the signwriting off carefully.

Our hand-backs average between £400 and £2000 - not so many of the latter now because we have wised up. The worst thing is a little ding in each of several different body panels.

The end-of-contract prices vary. Back in 2009/10 they were dirt cheap (About £3000 for a 3yr old LWB with 60k on it) , and we bought almost everything. Since then, I think the 2nd hand Relay market must have improved, because now they are asking £5000k - £6000 for the same van.

There are a few tricks - when you phone up for a quote, never tell them that you are under or over the contract mileage. If its under, they will want it back, because you have paid for miles you haven't used. If its over, they will hike the price, because they know that if you don't buy it, you will have to pay the excess mileage fee. Always tell them that the mileage looks like it will be spot on at the end of contract.

Regarding the limited company thing, I think that the liability would rest with the company, unless you have signed a personal guarantee. But best to check that with a lawyer.

 

[lame plumber]

Yes was always worried about how much the rental firms would sting you for when your returning the van after contract hires. Has anyone done this and not bought the van after? Also Ray did they give you decent price when you bought it off the hire firm? Also what happens of you hire a van through a ltd company and then have to close the ltd company down, who's liable for the van? Can you just hand it back?

ltd co law isnt as robust as in the past and I gather that if you are ltd, somewhere in the paperwork they will want you to sign and be responsible so they arent burnt. All i know is as a sole trader credit is easy as soon as you go ltd things can change quite quickly on the credit front for the worse! ray is probablt more experienced on that side being that he offers credit to individuals and ltd co

 

[iain85]

Cheers Ray, it's that unknown at the end of contract that had always puts me off. Do they even come look at it or try and negotiate the sale over the phone to,avoid having to come pick it up I suppose?
just museing really about if for what ever reason you needed to jack it in whether you get stuck with the van/payments?

 

[iain85]

Anyone else doing the lease route? I'm just about to pull the trigger on buying a new nv200 but the lease thing could free up some readies for a chilled out summer : )

 

[Leo21]

I bought mine outright with a bank loan and deposit. The way I look at it when it's paid for your on bonus time, free/cheap motoring. Mines now paid for and the only way it's going is if it starts to rust or lets me down. Don't forget 2k or so in repairs is cheaper than depreciation. Leasing is ok for bigger vat registered companies, but don't think its viable for small businesses when you do the Maths. One other thing is I've bought two new vans in my time, never again. Next time it'll be one or two years old, the saving is immense.

 

[REDSAW]

how about grey imports?

registered in jersey, rented out for 6months or 6kmiles then imported to uk mainland + minus the vat?
found at your local bca.! big savings

 

[Ray Stafford]

Cheers Ray, it's that unknown at the end of contract that had always puts me off. Do they even come look at it or try and negotiate the sale over the phone to,avoid having to come pick it up I suppose?
just museing really about if for what ever reason you needed to jack it in whether you get stuck with the van/payments?

They don't come and look at it before you negotiate a purchase. They do come and do an inspection when you are handing it back, and you can argue with the inspector until you are blue in the face - I think they choose them from ex-traffic wardens who got kicked out for lacking a sense of humour.

I think that Citroen have a deal with British Car Auctions or someone similar to do the collection - so at that stage you aren't dealing with the contract hire company any more.

 

[Leo21]

how about grey imports?

registered in jersey, rented out for 6months or 6kmiles then imported to uk mainland + minus the vat?
found at your local bca.! big savings

More details please, not heard of this.

 

[michael c]

Just had a guy i asked about a van the other day get back in touch offering to take 3k its a 57 plate transit swb 2.2 with 90k. I plan to do 15-20k a year and would look to keep around 2 years. Whats peoples thoughts? I am fancying a new shape relay now though.

 

[Leo21]

Sounds good, take it for a long test drive. And make sure you see it started from cold, lift the bonnet and put your hand on the engine. If its warmed up it can hide a smokey engine.

 

[Leo21]

And find out if the cam belt is due, or been done.

 

[michael c]

Are they not chains on these

 

[Leo21]

No idea, worth finding out though.

 

[PlumbersMate]

What's a Pre-Reg?