Discussion
I may soon be in the market to buy a van for work purposes. It Needs to be of transporter or vivaro swb size and well presented. Can't be a transit as in my industry (caravan tech) transits are associated with the wrong types.
Max budget will be around £7500 inc Vat. Will be doing 15-20k a year and needs to be reliable. Ideally would keep it for around 3 years.
Any suggestions on whats best to go for?
Max budget will be around £7500 inc Vat. Will be doing 15-20k a year and needs to be reliable. Ideally would keep it for around 3 years.
Any suggestions on whats best to go for?
How established is your business (if Ltd) or creditworthy are you (if sole trader) ?
You could almost lease a SWB Trafic or similar for 3 years for that kind of money (£200 a month) - maybe slightly more but you'll save on repairs due to warranty.
Depending on a second hand van at an awkward price point to make a living is a bit of a dangerous game IMO
You could almost lease a SWB Trafic or similar for 3 years for that kind of money (£200 a month) - maybe slightly more but you'll save on repairs due to warranty.
Depending on a second hand van at an awkward price point to make a living is a bit of a dangerous game IMO
It's a new start up venture. Will most likely be a sole trader for a while too keep things simple. I'm reluctant to commit to the finance or lease option whilst the business is getting of the floor. I have a baby due in less than 2 months so could do with maximising income vs expenditure on a monthly basis asap. Plus if it all fails if I own it I can sell it.
Fair enough.
I would look at Trafic/Vivaro and buy the tidiest you can for the money - they do have some common problems though
Failing that - SWS in Tewkesbury are advertising a Cat D ex rental 15 plate Trafic for £5750 ex VAT - it's a bit battered but some trim and a tidy up would see you in a much newer van for the cash....
I would look at Trafic/Vivaro and buy the tidiest you can for the money - they do have some common problems though
Failing that - SWS in Tewkesbury are advertising a Cat D ex rental 15 plate Trafic for £5750 ex VAT - it's a bit battered but some trim and a tidy up would see you in a much newer van for the cash....
bigwheel said:
Silverstone this month.
http://www.vansa2z.com/
Silverstone September 13 event.http://www.vansa2z.com/
http://www.vansa2z.com/DriveVansA2Z-2017
I'm currently looking at a Peugeot Expert as a 'lifestyle' van. Day trips, mountainbiking, camping a d that sort of stuff. Most people use VW Transporters but I don't see the point in paying a huge premium for an imaginary gain in quality. My personal experience of VW lately is that they are less reliable than other marques. I've changed jobs recently and my new employers have quite a few Peugeots and they seem to be some of the most popular with the drivers and have the best reliability records. Since I've started looking for a second hand one for myself, I've seen several ex-taxis with well over 300000 miles on the clock. Unless anyone tells me otherwise, I'm fairly convinced that a Peugeot Expert is a good buy.
£7.5k seems to get an out of warranty old model or nearly a current body style EU5? model.
Depending on what spec model you need would it be better value for you to get a pre reg new model with 3.5 years of warranty left? Obviously if you can't afford it, you can't afford it. Although hire purchase/pcp might be a suitable way to do it.
I don't know where you live but a 60k mile EU6 model with 6 months warranty left could be easier to sell in 3 years than a 6-7 year old eu5 (or 4?) model.
The advantage of a new one as well as the warranty is that it has new tyres, oil etc and you know how its been driven from new re clutch wear etc.
It will cost a few thousand more in the first instance, however you can get an EU6 which will probably be important if you go to a large city in 3 years, so could be an easier prospect to sell in 3 years with a bit of warranty left.
For example a base spec http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
1.6 business single turbo 120bhp 11,890+VAT
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
The same but long wheelbase, higher weight capacity £12,590+VAT
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
£12,690 swb (5m long) 120 Business plus, should include nice features like manual air conditioning, fold down middle chair with laptop area and built in clipboard if thats useful for you, mobile holder, although my iPhone 6 just fits, a bigger phone won't. It also has the load through facility for pipes or ladders etc under the front seats, which the base spec Business does not.
If you want to move up to a 125 twin turbo and sport spec they come in at £13,990+VAT with metallic paint, cruise control, part leather steering wheel and gear knob, sat nav and probably more as well.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
£14,490 if you want a Long Wheelbase Sport 125.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
I'd say the interior of the newer model looks nicer than the old as well.
As a new van driver, I found the reversing camera in the rear view mirror very useful as well with the van only just fitting in most spaces sometimes 15cm out and thats a short wheelbase. Not too mention if anyone/thing is behind you.
It would be alot more expensive if you need specific factory options though, so would probably put it way out on price.
Depending on what spec model you need would it be better value for you to get a pre reg new model with 3.5 years of warranty left? Obviously if you can't afford it, you can't afford it. Although hire purchase/pcp might be a suitable way to do it.
I don't know where you live but a 60k mile EU6 model with 6 months warranty left could be easier to sell in 3 years than a 6-7 year old eu5 (or 4?) model.
The advantage of a new one as well as the warranty is that it has new tyres, oil etc and you know how its been driven from new re clutch wear etc.
It will cost a few thousand more in the first instance, however you can get an EU6 which will probably be important if you go to a large city in 3 years, so could be an easier prospect to sell in 3 years with a bit of warranty left.
For example a base spec http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
1.6 business single turbo 120bhp 11,890+VAT
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
The same but long wheelbase, higher weight capacity £12,590+VAT
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
£12,690 swb (5m long) 120 Business plus, should include nice features like manual air conditioning, fold down middle chair with laptop area and built in clipboard if thats useful for you, mobile holder, although my iPhone 6 just fits, a bigger phone won't. It also has the load through facility for pipes or ladders etc under the front seats, which the base spec Business does not.
If you want to move up to a 125 twin turbo and sport spec they come in at £13,990+VAT with metallic paint, cruise control, part leather steering wheel and gear knob, sat nav and probably more as well.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
£14,490 if you want a Long Wheelbase Sport 125.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
I'd say the interior of the newer model looks nicer than the old as well.
As a new van driver, I found the reversing camera in the rear view mirror very useful as well with the van only just fitting in most spaces sometimes 15cm out and thats a short wheelbase. Not too mention if anyone/thing is behind you.
It would be alot more expensive if you need specific factory options though, so would probably put it way out on price.
Don't the trafic/vivaro/primastar all have the chocolate gearboxes?
Anyway, i wouldn't risk it at that budget.
As someone has already said, leasing would be a no brainer.
Bung the money into a separate account and pay the lease from that. If it goes belly up you can still pay for the lease, and still have a vehicle to start up again or something new.
Anyway, i wouldn't risk it at that budget.
As someone has already said, leasing would be a no brainer.
Bung the money into a separate account and pay the lease from that. If it goes belly up you can still pay for the lease, and still have a vehicle to start up again or something new.
Alucidnation said:
Don't the trafic/vivaro/primastar all have the chocolate gearboxes?
Anyway, i wouldn't risk it at that budget.
As someone has already said, leasing would be a no brainer.
Bung the money into a separate account and pay the lease from that. If it goes belly up you can still pay for the lease, and still have a vehicle to start up again or something new.
I haven't had any problems with Renault Trafic gearboxes. So far I'm on my third Trafic each had done in excess of 150K miles and passed every MOT with no problems. For the record my new Transit failed it's first MOT and the Citroen Relay fell to pieces and did have gearbox troubles.Anyway, i wouldn't risk it at that budget.
As someone has already said, leasing would be a no brainer.
Bung the money into a separate account and pay the lease from that. If it goes belly up you can still pay for the lease, and still have a vehicle to start up again or something new.
I'm seriously looking at a new Trafic as listed above they are cheaper than a Transit. I buy my vans new, look after them then throw them away at 150K miles works out good value that way.
Gassing Station | Commercial Break | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff