Should You Consider Buying A Second-Hand Van For Your Business?

If you run a business that needs a van or are looking for a van for use outside of work, the good news is that there are several options available. These include leasing a van for the period of time that you are going to need it for, as well as purchasing a new or second-hand vehicle.

Leasing a van or commercial vehicle involves signing up for a long-term rental agreement. An initial leasing fee is followed up by regular payments over the agreed time period that you have use of the van. At the end of the arrangement, the vehicle is handed back to the lease finance provider and the customer can take out a new lease – or buy a new van. While leasing is a great option for people who like to change their vehicle regularly, it does mean that the vehicle is never actually owned by the person leasing it.

Purchasing your van, either outright or through a financing agreement, on the other hand, means that you will own it, can customise it for your needs and then sell it on when you no longer have use for it. There is usually more choice of makes, models and sizes of vans available than with leasing, and you will normally save money over the longer term. The next question to ask, therefore, is should you invest in a brand-new vehicle, or opt for buying a used van?

New versus used

New vans can be very expensive; however, they do usually come with a warranty that offers greater peace of mind. They will also often come with the latest technology, safety features and updated design specifications. You can also have it customised just as you like it, but this can take a long time to be built and delivered, depending on what you want. A second-hand option doesn’t give as much choice for personalisation, but the vehicle can often be driven away the same day, or not long afterwards.

The second-hand market is buoyant and there is a wide range of vans and commercial vehicles available to purchase, so not having total freedom over model and design may not matter too much. Choosing a reputable van dealer to work with offers an added layer of protection and safety. This is because the vehicles will have been carefully vetted for suitability, checked for damage and how well they have been looked after prior to being put up for sale. This is not an area to cut corners in. Always choose a trustworthy dealer who can help you secure a reliable van that will offer you excellent, safe service.

It is important to check the service history of any used van you are buying, along with details of any repairs, upgrades and modifications that have been made to it. This can affect your insurance premiums, although generally speaking, insuring a used van will not cost as much as it would for a brand-new model. Always ask to see the log book, V5 and other documentation for any used van you are considering buying – if the dealer or owner is reluctant to show you paperwork, or refuses outright, walk away from the deal.

More advantages

Second-hand vans also offer the benefit of being able to learn what you like and dislike about it without shelling out on an expensive model that you are then stuck with repayments for. It can also be easier to refit a used vehicle, or even take advantage of mods that the previous owner has made. They may have come up with ideas that you wouldn’t have thought of, but which make using the van much easier. For example, adding basic sleeping arrangements for long-haul trips. Or adding brighter colours, lights and other features to the exterior that makes the vehicle more visible and therefore safer on the roads at night or in bad weather.

Talking of mods, many second-hand vans also come with added extras already installed. These could include ladders, roof bars, load coverings, internal racking systems and more. Check carefully whether these items are included in the price or not. If they do cost extra, ask yourself whether you really need them. If not, can you ask for them to be removed and have the price adjusted to reflect that?

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