Van, bulletproof reliability - 5k

[ATV]

I know zilch about work vans. I own a flower shop with two female employees. We’re doing mostly home deliveries now so I’m thinking of using some of our grant money to invest in a van to make it easier for me to load and offload, plus some nice signage to advertise our shop. Would need the following attributes:

- Reliability, I don’t want to be taking it to the garage every couple of months for a new problem. Likewise, I’d like parts to be easily available and cheap.

- Needs to be fully enclosed, we work in some dodgy areas of Leeds where vans get broken into all the time.

- Big flat load area. I work with a portrait photographer at weekends and sometimes transporting the big lights which are long and bulky and delicate is a pain in the backside. I’d like to be able to use it for that as well. Plus my brother-in-law sometimes needs a van at weekends he does up a properties. Top bloke who’s done me loads of favours in the past, I’d like to help him out.

- Easy to drive, some comfort on the M62 would be nice. Possibly the female employees might drive it also but I might get us all van-specific driving instructions first.

Basically looking for a no-nonsense, fits into the background, can take loads of abuse, am not bothered if things get scratched, broken, etc.

Edited by ATV on Sunday 29th November 09:10

Edited by ATV on Sunday 29th November 09:10

[bristolracer]

5k is a pretty small budget to tick the reliability box.
Most Van's at 5k will be the wrong side of 100k miles.

I run a Peugeot partner at the moment and it has been better on the reliability side than my previous vw caddy.

Price of Van's has shot up recently, not sure why

Depending on your mileage, leasing may be an option?

[WonkeyDonkey]

If it wasn't for the big lights I'd suggest a berlingo.

[Tomo1971]

Speak to your accountant about leasing, may have some benifits for tax purposes

[ChocolateFrog]

You can't get what you want for the price you want.

Especially with van prices what they are at the moment.

A 120+k mile Vivaro/Trafic might be in budget but it's going to be 8 years old so who knows on the reliability front.

[Darkslider]

Toyota Hiace is well known to be the most reliable at that price point, not sure how many of your other criteria it'll meet though.

[Justin Case]

Think outside of the box, old, but low mileage and looks very clean. Is it big enough for you though, (I assume the back seats come out)

https://www.harrisoncommercials.co.uk/vehicle-deta...

[ZX10R NIN]

Most vans at this price point have been worked quite hard, I'd look at a people carrier something like an i800 Hyundai you can get a nice one for your budget & once you've removed the seats you have a nice flat floor.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2010-Hyundai-i800-2-5-C...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2008-Hyundai-i800-2-5CR...