Buying a secondhand van: mistakes to avoid

Buying used commercial vans is a fantastic way to get yourself a low cost vehicle, and there are a lot of great bargains out there. However, you do need to be wary when buying a used van, as there are some pitfalls that you need to avoid.

Check the vehicle's history

There are now many companies that provide vehicle history checks, either by telephone, or even more conveniently, using the internet. It's very easy to find out whether the van has ever been stolen, involved in an accident or if it has any outstanding finance associated with it.

Insurance write-offs

The vehicle history check will also tell you whether or not it has previously been 'written off'. Write-offs can still be purchased but you do need to take some precautionary steps first. For example, you need to inform your insurance provider as to the history of van. You should also have the vehicle fully inspected by a qualified mechanic to ensure that it has been repaired to an acceptable standard. Successfully passing the MOT test is not good enough because the MOT only tests the basic functionality of a vehicle.

The fact that a particular vehicle has been written off can be a useful negotiation point to use to get the asking price down, and you may be able to secure a significant discount. However, the van may be difficult to sell on down the line so you also need to take that into consideration.

Check for 'clocking'

Winding the odometer back, which is known as clocking, is far less common than it was twenty to thirty years ago, but unfortunately, it does still go on. You should check the digits on the odometer's display are aligned correctly and that the screws around the display haven't been tampered with. If you have any suspicions that the van may have been clocked then don't take the risk – there are plenty of legitimate Used commercial vans out there to choose from.

The vehicle's MOT certificate and service history should state its recorded mileage at that point in time, so a 'clocker' will also need to forge those documents. Any signs of tampering should be fairly obvious.

Widen your search

At any one time there are thousands of used commercial vans on the secondhand market, and prices do vary depending on the region in which the vehicle is being sold. It can save you money to travel quite some distance in order to bag a bargain.

Despite the above points, it is worth remembering that most car dealers are trustworthy and will not be out to rip you off. Having said that, there are still some dodgy dealers out there so you need to approach buying a used van with caution. Sticking to the advice here should help you to avoid any negative experiences.

In summary – always have a full vehicle check carried out, be open with your insurance company, shop around and check for any signs of clocking. If you are buying a write-off then do have the remedial work that has been done properly inspected. Lastly, for your own peace of mind you may want to buy from a reputable and established dealer, rather than buying privately.

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