What should I look out for when buying a used van?

Mechanical and performance checks

Engine power

Vans are designed to cover higher mileages than cars. However, much like cars, the higher a van’s mileage, the more likely it is to develop mechanical issues.

Many vans can comfortably last for 200,000 miles - and a van with an even higher mileage could still be a great option, if it has been well looked after. With that said, lower mileage vans are preferential for many buyers, as they carry less risk.

Important: Check that the purported mileage is accurate. If the interior is worn and battered despite an ostensibly low mileage, or there are discrepancies in the mileages recorded on the MOT certificates, this could indicate odometer tampering (or mileage clocking) has taken place. You should not buy a van that you suspect has been clocked.

Engine power

Think carefully about how you intend to use the van and whether its engine is fit for your intended purpose.

A powerful diesel engine is ideal for carrying heavier loads, as it can work more effectively at lower revs. Conversely, if you’re after a small van for making local deliveries, a small, lightweight petrol engine would be a better a choice.

You should also consider the age of the van. Engine power and fuel economy have improved considerably in recent years, even for petrol vans. For instance, a modern 1.6-litre engine may have a power output that’s equivalent to an older 2-litre model.

Euro 6 compliance

Whether a van meets Euro 6 standards is an important consideration for many buyers.

If your van doesn’t meet this emission standard, you could be liable for daily charges if you travel within London’s ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) or other emissions-based zones such as the Clean Air Zones (CAZs) found in various cities.

If you routinely travel within these zones in a non-compliant van, you could incur considerable costs. You can check whether a van is Euro 6 compliant by entering its reg number into a free online ULEZ compliance check tool.

Suspension

Inspect the suspension bump stops to ensure there are no signs of wear. If the suspension is worn, this may indicate that the van has been used to carry heavier loads than intended.

Also try pushing down on the corner of the vehicle and make sure it reverts to the original position after one bounce.

Tyres

Check the tyres carefully, ensuring they are appropriate for the van. Certain models require commercial tyres with higher load ratings. If a van is fitted with unsuitable tyres, its handling and safety could be compromised, potentially endangering the driver and other road users.

You should also check that the tread depth is within the legal limit. Whilst tyres must have a minimum 1.6mm tread depth to be considered roadworthy, studies have shown that stopping distances increase for tyres worn beyond 3mm.

Lights

Ask the seller to demonstrate that all the lights are working correctly. This will also show you how well the electrics are working. If any of the lights are struggling or failing to work, this could indicate issues with other electric-powered components.

Heating and air conditioning

Test the heating and air conditioning to make sure they’re in good working order. You should be able to operate these systems on all settings without creating too much noise.

If there are any issues present, consider how this would affect your comfort whilst out on the road.

Visual and structural checks

Appearance

Evaluate the visual condition of the van. Any dents, scratches and bumps will reduce the van’s valuation. If you are using the van for commercial purposes, you may want to rectify these blemishes, as they could hurt your company’s image.

Signs of repairs

If you spot a panel that looks markedly different to the others, this may indicate that the van has undergone extensive repair work.

Interior checks

Commercial vans will often have extras such as lining or racking fitted to the loading bay. This can protect the body from dents and scratches, whilst providing more storage.

Unfortunately, many businesses will reuse these fixtures and remove them before selling their vans, leaving holes within the loading bay. It’s important to consider whether you are happy to live with this. If not, you’ll have to pay for new loading bay fixtures.

Also pay attention to the condition of the cabin. Are the seats and dashboard in good condition? Check for rips and cracks in the upholstery, and interior mould.

Check underneath

Most vans are essentially a box on a chassis. So, don’t forget to check underneath, as this area can show the most wear and tear.

Red flags include loose brake pipes and dented panels. Also pay attention to the level of rust. Excessive rust and rust in certain prescribed areas could lead to the van to failing its MOT.

History and documentation

Past use

Ask the owner to put you in the picture about how the van has been used.

If the van has consistently carried heavy loads, this may have put a strain on the vehicle. On the other hand, if it has primarily been used for small courier deliveries, it may have plenty of life yet!

V5C logbook

We would advise against buying a van if the V5C logbook is not available. This document plays a crucial role in the process of transferring ownership.

When you buy a van, the seller will usually give you the green ‘new keeper slip’ from the V5C logbook. You should also receive an updated logbook within four weeks. If you don’t receive one after this time, you should complete a V62 form to apply for a replacement.

Number of previous owners

Vans with one previous owner often command a higher price. However, if a van has several prior owners, this is not necessarily a cause for concern, as they may still have treated it with care.

However, if a van has had numerous owners within a short time, this is a potential red flag, and could indicate hidden mechanical problems.

Service history

In automotive terms, ‘full service history’ (FSH) indicates that a vehicle has been serviced in line with the manufacturer’s recommendations – and all the relevant documentation is available as proof of this.

When records for one or more service intervals are missing, this is considered a ‘partial service history’ (PSH). This is not necessarily cause for alarm, as paperwork can easily go missing – and there is still evidence that the owner has taken steps to maintain the van.

You should proceed with caution when the entire service history is missing. In this scenario, how well the van has been cared for (or not) is a mystery.

MOT history check

Before committing to buying a used van, you should check out its MOT history. You can view all the past MOT results of any UK-registered vehicle by entering its reg number into a MOT check tool.

You’ll be able to see all past results, including whether the car passed or failed at each interval, along with any advisory work the tester recommended.

It’s also important to check whether the recorded mileages are consistent. If there are any apparent discrepancies (e.g. if the mileage appears to ‘fall’ between one interval and the next), query this with the owner.

Cost and financial considerations

Running costs

Here are the main factors to consider when calculating running costs for a van:

• Fuel costs.
• Road tax/VED banding.
• Van insurance costs.
• Servicing and MOTs.
• Maintenance (e.g. tyre replacement).
• Breakdown recovery costs.

It’s also important to bear in mind that maintenance costs may rise as your van gets older and its mileage increases.

Insurance

To find out how much the van will cost to insure, browse a few price comparison sites to find a policy that suits your needs. Remember, the cheapest policy isn’t necessary the best option. It’s often worth selecting any extras that will give you peace of mind.

If you intend to test drive the van, you may need to arrange temporary insurance. A dealer will often provide this, but if you’re buying privately, you’ll almost certainly have to arrange your own insurance. A dealer will often ask to see your driving licence before arranging a test drive.

Additional considerations

Features

When it comes to features, some commercial vans (particularly older models) are rather basic. For instance, some lack air-conditioning and sat nav systems. Many businesses will opt for base model vans for their fleet due to costs.

Therefore, before buying a used van, it’s important to decide whether you’re happy with the features. If not, consider how much it would cost to add the desired upgrades - and whether this is feasible.

Test drive

We recommend taking a test drive before buying a used van. This is your chance to assess how the vehicle handles and performs.

If possible, take a test drive on a varied route, incorporating different driving speeds and road types. During the test, check that the brakes work smoothly - and the steering is responsive. You should also check the odometer’s accuracy.

Making payment

Here are some of the safest ways to pay for a used van:

• Cash: If you choose to pay in cash (physical tender), arrange to meet the seller at the bank. The teller can count the notes and assure the buyer that they are genuine. This way, the buyer will get paid immediately. Just be careful when walking around with a large amount of cash.
• Bank transfer: Alternatively, you can pay via a CHAPS (Clearing House Automated Payment System) or Faster Payment Service bank transfer. If you have an online banking app, you can also use this to make a transfer. Bank transfers clear faster (and are considered safer) than cheques.
• Cheque: Whilst many sellers accept cheques, they take longer to clear. Understandably, most sellers will not hand over the keys until the money is in their account.

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