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VANS FOR SALEVAN BUYERS GUIDE
If you're considering buying a van, you will have specific reasons for doing so - perhaps you own a business and need to transport goods quickly and easily; perhaps you are a private owner who simply wants more space to accommodate a large family. Whatever the reason, the process of buying a van, whether it is a new van, a used van or a van rental, is unique itself with many different methods and approaches when compared to buying a car.
That's why we have compiled a van buying guide - for motorists who want to get behind the steering wheel knowing they have secured a good deal.
The process of buying a new van - is buying a new van right for you?
Before beginning your search for the best deals on a new van, think about whether buying a new van is right for you. Examine your financial situation and consider if you can afford to make monthly repayments.
Do your driving needs make a van necessary? Generally speaking, cars will work out as cheaper options than vans both in terms of fuel economy and tag price. There are other charges to think about too - road tax is higher for the majority of vans than most cars, and congestion charges could be heavy.
It's important to factor all of these expenses into the equation before making your decision. However, if you decide that a van is for you, consider how you will finance your vehicle.
If you want a new van, then leasing could be the best option. This will allow you to make smaller monthly repayments based on the residual value of the van. At the end of the term you can simply return the van to the leasing company and walk away, or you could opt to take out another new van on a fresh leasing agreement.
Alternatively, you could secure a personal contract purchase agreement on your new van. This will give you the option to buy the van outright at the end of the term.
The process of buying a new van - how to secure a good deal
The key to securing a good deal on a new van is to prepare before you begin the buying process. Here is a checklist that you should follow:
- Do your research - Make sure you know what you want before you approach a dealer. Think about the type of van you want - do you want a micro van, a 4x4, a pickup van or a large van? To decide, think about the purpose of buying the van - are you looking to haul goods, or perhaps drive around the family? Do you need a van that is fitted out with ply lining or refrigeration?
- Specification - Before deciding on the right new van, research the options available in your price range and their specifications. Some of the factors to consider are:
- Size - Remember that full-size vans are more difficult to manoeuvre. How big is your family or the goods you are likely to carry?
- Fuel economy - Most vans have V6 engines, but there are smaller models available with four-cylinder capacity if you are looking for fuel economy. Generally speaking, the larger the van, the larger the engine (some are V8 and V10) and the higher the running costs.
- Family-friendly - Does the new van include an entertainment system? Storage containers? Air conditioning?
- Safety - Some minivans are among the safest vehicles on the road. However, you should research the crash test rating of any new van you are interested in.
- Interior space - How many seats does your van have?
- Cargo space - Bigger families should consider larger vehicles to ensure there is sufficient luggage space. Large vans are best for drivers with a lot of cargo to haul.
- Operating costs - Micro vans will offer better fuel economy but larger vans can often be easier to maintain if repairs are necessary.
- Van finance - Consider all of the methods of van finance - including loans and leasing. Van leasing will be best suited to those who like the idea of driving a new van every few years and who want lower monthly payments. Loans are the best choice for people who want to own the van outright and drivers that travel flexible distances. Bear in mind that leasing companies will impose a mileage restriction which they use to work out the depreciated cost of the vehicle - that is, what it will be worth at the end of the leasing term. If you exceed this mileage limit you will be hit with charges. Do not wait until you contact a dealer to establish your van finance. Shop around for the best deals online. There are many van leasing deals available through thevanwebsite.co.uk. This website also includes a large directory of brand new vans for sale.
- Prepare yourself - Don't just research the vehicle you want to buy - make sure you are armed with all of the relevant details about yourself too so you can't be surprised by anything the van dealer tells you. In particular, you should find out whether or not you have good credit as every rejected van finance application will leave a footprint on your credit profile. Request your credit profile from an agency such as Experian or Equifax and if you have impaired credit, do all you can to build your credit rating before you apply for a loan. This can be done in a number of ways - by maintaining a fixed home address; being in steady employment by the same company for six months or more; paying bills on time under your own name. If you have bad credit you might also wish to consider a co-signer, although bear in mind that if you fail to make repayments you will hurt the co-signer's credit as well as your own. Also think about if you can offer a trade-in or can make a down-payment on the new van.
- Search online - Above all else, you should scout around for the cheapest prices for the new van of your choice and the quickest way to do this, is online. Rather than travel from dealer to dealer, you can search for quotes on the exact vehicles and specifications you want in minutes by taking advantage of an online directory such as thevanwebsite.co.uk.
- Buy at the right time - Think about the best times to buy a new van. If you are buying from a dealer, this is usually the month before new registrations are introduced when many dealerships need to move excess stock to make way for new fleets. The Christmas period is also a good time to shop around as business is slow and dealers are eager to hit end of year targets.
