If you’re in the market for a used van, it can be hard to know where to start. There are many options to consider, from where to buy your van to how to fund the purchase. Whether you’re looking for a van for your business or you’re a personal use buyer, the guide below is here to help make your next van purchase an easy one and also highlights some top tips to get the best deal.

Should you buy a used van from a dealer or private seller?

There are benefits to both buying from a dealer or from a private seller and which one you choose can come down to budget and experience. By experience we mean your confidence with buying used vans and whether you know what you’re looking for when buying from a private seller.

Buying a van privately.

When you buy a van from a private seller, it means you are purchasing from an individual and it can be an easy way to get a good deal on a used van as you’re more likely to be able to negotiate with the seller. You can’t finance a van when you buy from a private seller and can only pay with cash so it’s worth keeping in mind. Buying privately means you don’t have as much protection as you would if you bought from a dealer either because once you’ve bought the van, you won’t be able to return it.

Buying a used van from a dealership.

When you buy a second-hand van from a dealer you can either buy with cash or check out their best van finance deals to help spread the cost of purchase. Finance is subject to status though and you will need to receive an approval first before you can get a van. One of the main benefits of buying from a dealer is the amount of choice you get and the level of protection you are entitled to. If there are any issues with the van you’ve bought, you’re protected under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 to return the van and get a full refund within 30 days.

Top tip for buying a used van:

Buying a used van doesn’t have to be a mammoth task but there are few things you should be aware of. Used vans are affordable and cheaper to buy than brand new ones but they do run the risk of having a background you don’t know about. Follow these simple tips below to safely buy a second-hand van.

1.  Research the van market.

When buying a used van its good to compare prices from other dealers and sellers of the make and model you’re interested in. This way, you can get an idea of the going rate and see if you’re getting a good deal or not. It can also give you a bit of negotiation power if a local dealer is selling the same type of van for a lower price or you could take your business elsewhere.

2.  Set a budget.

It can be very easy to get carried away when it comes to buying your next van, but you should set a realistic budget first and stick to it. This way you can speed up the process by only viewing vans within your budget.

3. Take some time to check the van over.

When you buy from a dealer, they will have usually performed their own checks and serviced the vehicle to make sure it’s in its best condition possible. However, this does not mean that you shouldn’t check it over for yourself. Check over things like tyre tread, any bodywork damage, common engine problems and any warning lights on the dashboard.

4.  Do a background check.

Before you commit to buy, you should always do your own checks on the van first. Used vans can come with a hidden history and you need to know if it’s been involved in any accidents in the past. You can check the details of the car with the DVLA, check it’s MOT and service history and also check if the vehicle has been recalled in the past.

5.  Take a test drive.

Not only is it important your next van is affordable, but it also needs to be fit for purpose. There’s no point in buying a van which isn’t right for you, or you don’t like how its drivers. It is recommended you take any vans within your budget that you like on a test drive for at least 30 mins.You can take some time to check over the vehicle without the seller being present and also drive the van over different types of roads and terrains to see how it performs.