A guide to buying second-hand vans

Buying a van can be a little bit daunting and although buying a brand-new van in some cases is a good option, a well-maintained second-hand van shouldn’t be overlooked.

If you aren’t familiar with vans or are just a little unsure of how they are supposed to run, finding the right questions to ask can be difficult. This article is a guide to help you through the buying process.

Firstly, you’ll need to have an idea of the type of van that will best suit your needs. Vans are bought for a variety of reasons, whether you need it for day to day driving or to transport equipment, or even a campervan conversion – there are different vans to suit different needs.

What are your priorities? Are you hoping to cut your carbon footprint by buying an electric van? Do you need the space of a LWB? (long wheelbase) these are all things to consider before you begin your search. Doing research on different van models will point you in the right direction – you can look at reviews, Facebook forums and dealer websites to help you gather the necessary information.

The good thing about reviews is that you can uncover which models are most desirable, highlighting any issues with specific years and tell you what to look out for when test driving. Doing preliminary research can also help you understand what you should expect to pay.

It is also good to think about the payload of van models, to understand how much they can carry. This is crucial if you are looking to carry goods in your new vehicle. As well as the load space, to ensure there is enough space to fit whatever you need.

Finding the best place to purchase your second-hand van couldn’t be easier, at BVS we are advertising in a few different places, like AutoTrader and our own website, we are also happy to keep an eye out for the specific type of vehicle you are after and reach out when something that suits your needs arrives.

Check the Van History

Knowing what the van was used for before can be a good indicator of the condition of the vehicle. At BVS a lot of our vans are ex enterprise or British Gas fleet vehicles, we buy these especially so that you can get the best quality of vehicle, knowing that they are internally serviced and well kept gives both parties peace of mind. This is something you can ask the dealership to understand more about the vehilce you purchase. 

Make sure to check for the following documents when buying a second-hand van

V5C (The logbook) 

This tells you who the registered keeper is. You should check that the company or person you’re dealing with and their address match what is on the V5C.

You should also check that all the other information on the V5C is correct, including make, model, number plate and VIN (vehicle identification number). The V5C should also give you additional information like how long the person selling the vehicle has owned it and how many previous owners it’s had. If a van has been sold quite a few times, it could be a sign that the van isn’t up to scratch.

MOT Certificates

The MOT certificate will tell you when a vehicle has passed or failed as well as show you any problems, defects, and advisories.

Check the Mileage

Second-hand vans are more likely to have higher mileage, however as a rough guide 12,000-13,000 miles a year is considered average.

Mileage is not something that you should consider in isolation, as the age of the vehicle will have a big impact on how many miles it has done. Even a low mileage van can be a little worse for wear, if it’s been used for transporting heavy items or if it has been through a lot of stop-start busy traffic. Therefore, we wouldn’t say a van would have a ‘good mileage’ as there’s plenty of factors to consider.

Basic checks to take before purchasing

Rust – are there any signs of it?

Accident damage/ repairs – are there any signs of these?

Tyres – are they the correct ones for the van and is the wear even?

Suspension – are the shock absorbers in good condition?

Cabin – is it in reasonable condition and does everything inside work?

Buying a second-hand van can be a game changer for starting up a business, expanding your business or even developing a new hobby so there shouldn't be anything that gets in the way of that happening!

Our sales team are always happy to help answer any of your questions when purchasing a van at BVS - feel free to contact us on our landline 01376 34588. 

We wish you all the best on your search for a second-hand van!