How To Make Sure You Buy A Quality Used Van

Going second hand can be a great way to pick up a cost-effective van for your business. However, with many of these vans having endured hard lives already and don’t come with the peace of mind a generous warranty offers when buying a brand new model. 

So, how do you avoid second hand vans which have already been pushed to the limit with heavy loads and not been taken care of? This guide will give you everything you need to know to choose a reliable used van. 

What Do You Need It For?

First thing you’ll want to consider is what you need the van for. Whilst this may sound really obvious it’s an important thing to take a minute to think about. Consider what specs or features are important to you. Maybe you are looking for something more economical or a real workhorse capable of lugging large, heavy loads with ease. 

A benefit from going for a used van is that it has likely been kitted out to suit business needs. This means you may find one with ladder racks, internal racking, or load coverings already pre-installed. Having this extra already fitted to the van can save you time and money on enhancing the functionality of your business vehicle,  as all you need to do is complement it with the addition of a pedal box.

Once you know what you need to get the job done it’s time to look at different van models and their specifications to find the one for you. You’ll find options for all needs from the compact Volkswagen Caddy all the way up to the impressively large Crafter. Finding a model to suit your needs couldn’t be easier. 

Find a Reputable Dealership / Seller

Of course, there are many options for where you buy your van from. While private sellers may offer fairly attractive prices the vans they offer have not endured the rigorous checks which a van dealership would put them through. For peace of mind in what you are buying, always take a look at the approved used offering of a car dealership with a good reputation first.

What Should You Check?

If you do choose to buy your van from a private seller or just want to be extra sure in what you are buying, this list is for you. 

Service history 

Looking at the service history can tell a lot about the life a vehicle has led and the mindset previous owners had with it. You’ll want to take a look at the service intervals typically you are looking for a service every 12,000 miles or 12 months, whichever is sooner. Timely servicing shows that someone took the time to ensure the vehicle was always in good shape. If you don’t see regular servicing this can be a sign that you need to dig in a little deeper in other areas for issues. 

How Many Owners Has It Had

If the van you are looking to buy has had many owners over the years it could be possible that it has an issue which reveals itself more clearly once you begin driving it on a regular basis. If that is the case you may want to give this van a miss. 

Inspect The Vehicle 

As when buying any vehicle a thorough visual inspection is a must. This is especially the case when looking at a vehicle which may have been used by tradesmen and could be a little worn down. But don’t worry we are going to cover everything you need to check for total peace of mind. 

Bodywork

Walk around the van and check for rust. Particularly on the wheel arches and doors. If you press gently and hear a cracking sound there may be more corrosion below. Also whilst visually inspecting the exterior you will need to keep an eye out for inconsistent colours in the body work or questionable workmanship.  

Suspension

Pushing down on each corner on the van should give you an ideal of the condition of shock absorbers. If it bounces once and returns to its normal position you should be fine. If it bounces 2-3 times there could be an issue.

Lights 

Issues with lights can suggest problems with the vans overall electrical health. Test all lights to ensure there are no issues. 

Air-conditioning 

Whilst inside the car test the air conditioning. Pay attention to any odd smells which come out when you turn it on. This could indicate that something is broken or there is a blockage inside it.

Brakes

Test these on your test drive. Find a long straight stretch of road and gently take your foot off the brake and hold the wheel lightly. If the van pulls to either side then there may be an issue. Also listen for squealing or grinding noises.

Tyres 

As the only part of the van which touches the road your wheels are really important. A tyre tread under 1.6mm thick is not legal in the UK. There is a quick way to test this though, put a 20 pence coin into the tread. If the outer rim can be covered, your good.

Engine

When you start the car keep an eye out for excessive smoke or strange sounds coming from the engine..   

Interior

Finally when inside the van check that no warning lights are on the dashboard. In particular the engine management light can spell trouble. Try to use all windows and electrics in the car to ensure that they are all in working order. Also remember to try all seatbelts. Vans are not road legal if the seatbelts don’t work. 

Final points 

Hopefully now you will feel well-versed in how to choose your next van. The last thing we will say is to trust your instincts. If something feels wrong or doesn’t add up just find another van. You really are spoilt for choice when selecting your next work van.