Which Van is best for an electrical contractor?

[SirKit Breaker]

An accountant will always say buy outright, if you can afford it. The secret is to buy a van with good service history etc, and one that has been looked after. It is no different to buying a car. Then the next part is making sure it gets the right maintenance it needs for how you use it. I have had my connect just over 2 years, it came with full history and in very good condition, since i have had it, it has had normal service work, a couple of tyres, and an exhaust. I paid a bit less than 3 grand, and also got £1000 for my Focus Estate against it, so it owes me about £1800, which i have had most of back in fuel allowance. Dont buy crap, there are plenty of small vans about. Keep it maintained, drive it properly, and there is no reason it for it to let you down.

Cheers.........Howard

 

[Octopus]

Beware of lease plans because not only do they bind you to a time frame of 2, 3 or 4 years they also are mileage related so if your circumstances change ........

I'd say buy out right, and use a bank loan if necessary.

 

[localtrades]

Having spent some time in the motor trade selling finance on vehicles I would say it depends a lot on how many miles and how well you will look after it. If you are vat reg then to buy is the best option if you wish to keep it long term. If you have bought in the last years and then gone vat registered you can retrospectively claim all the vat back as long as its within a 3 year window ( a liitle known fact). leasing is ok but companies do tend to hit hard on wear and tear and logo removal etc so beware as there may be sting in the tail, also the milage per annum is hard to gauge. Go too highwith your yearly milage and you pay more for no return, go too low and do more, and then they smack you big time at the end.

Best advice I can give is talk to an accountant and they should be able to advise the best route to take.

Not in the motor trade anymore, but hope it helps. Now run www.localtrades4you.co.uk which promotes tradesmen, and yes I was a tradesman until a bad accident stopped me doing the physical stuff. Good luck with your purchase

 

[LukeD]

I honestly think far too much money is spent on nice vans . I use to have a Toyota Hiace. Cost me £4k and was in a nice light grey. I used a good company to make some nice magnetic signs . Stuck a carpet covered Bulk head in it to make it safer and more comfortable. Ran it for 2 years . And sold it for £3600 !! Cost me set of pads and 3 x oil / filter changes (DIY) never skipped a beat and looked very clean. Will not use a van now as they get broken into all the time and i have down graded my job sizes that i can do it all from my car or landcruiser .

I see guys up to their necks in payments on silly Navaras etc !!! I think its a image thing. Costs down, prices down = more work

 

[egginyourface]

what van do you drive and has it been reliable?

thinking about buying vauxhall virano

 

[RWJ]

what van do you drive and has it been reliable?

thinking about buying vauxhall virano

Vivaro?? Same as Renault Trafic and Nissan Primestar.

I used to drive these..... I really like them.... Only occasionally get to drive one now
Now I drive a Gloria (Escort Van) that I keep trying to kill... but passes the MOT

Funny how you get a promotion and a rubbish van! Apparently I no longer need a big van!! (Or CD Player, Electric Windows, Electric Mirrors... oh and HEATING!!!)

 

[topquark]

Citroen Relay L3H2. Had it about 9 months, been fine so far. Very versatile. In fact a bit too versatile as people keep wanting to borrow it

 

[One_of_them]

new shape Berlingo and so far it's not let me down. I do a lot of miles to

 

[adslev]

Peugeot partner and there doesn't seem to be a week that goes by that something t break, for example on my way home from work yesterday and the drivers side window decided to fall of the runners and down into the door!

 

[Daveyboy]

Renault Trafic. Great van. Had mine since new but has had quite a few things go wrong on it (including replacing the knackered gear box) but every was done under the 3 year warranty. Its now 4 and a half years old now. & i've seen some for around £10k new.
Great drive!!

 

[telectrix]

never had time to get used to my trafic. it spent more time in the dealers workshop than on the road. i did send it a birthday card though.

 

[davelerave]

i've got the equivalent primastar

these diesel injection vans can be big money if they give trouble out of warranty


i'd enquire about toyota anyhow-dunno if they have anything similar now

 

[telectrix]

anything jap is good as long as it's not made in france

 

[Spudnik]

Had a Vivaro for a few years and never gave me any probs.

Good workhorse

 

[SPARTYKUS]

I cannot believe anyone has not mentioned THE; THE: THE VAN of VANS.

The Van.