Thinking of buying a van

[DodgyTech]

Hey guys

I'm looking to buy a van. Probably a small transit like those Peugeot Expert, Citroen Berlingo etc etc.

I've never owned a van before so I need some advice. I'm looking on ebay and there are some good prices on there.

What advice can anyone give me.

Where to look?
What questions to ask?
Should I expect a test drive?
What if it isn't taxed, is it worth a look without a test drive?
tell tale signs of any engine or gearbox problems
Any questions about security/locks?
Anything about mileage.

I'm looking for something that is around £600-900 for use on weekends. Has to be diesel, can be as old as T reg although I'd prefer something close to W reg or newer if possible.

Does it look possible for me to get a decent van with those requirements?

I wouldn't even mind looking at some VW transporters if I could find something affordable.

Any tips, advice or links to decent listings would be appreciated.

 

[Evastar]

Check out whether or not you need commercial insurance before you buy one. If you do, it can be a lot more expensive than ordinary insurance.

 

[DodgyTech]

Thanks Eva. I was gonna ask about insurance side of things next. I'm hoping that I can get normal insurance on this as it's not for commercial use per-se, just to transport football equipment for saturday mornings

 

[Evastar]

Well then an estate car might do it?

 

[miggy]

try and stay away from citroen and peugeot the parts are very expensive.vw are fine or ford or have you thought about a people carrier there are some good zafiras or transits out there. try auto trader for some ideas.Goodluck m8

 

[DodgyTech]

@Eva - I'm currently using my hatchback and it's full to the brim and we need to take more equipment so a small transit is the best choice as an Estate will not allow much more than what I already take. I'm gonna have to do some thinking about the insurance

@Miggy - Couldn't I get the parts from Euro Car Parts? They usually have affordable stuff. I have given people carries some thought but would prefer a diesel van although the commercial insurance is a bit off putting since I don't know what to expect

 

[Evastar]

Just pick a model that looks like it would suit you, and ring your current insurers and ask them how much it would be if you were to change to it.

 

[DodgyTech]

Yup that's what I was thinking of doing. I'll probs use a nuberplate from one of the ebay listings I'm watching and just get a free quote.

Cheers =]

 

[IANB]

Have you considered a box trailer and fitting a tow bar m8
BOX TRAILER on eBay (end time 09-Jul-10 19:05:33 BST)

 

[Evastar]

Why would you need a numberplate? Just ring them and give them a make and model, actually give them a few makes and models

 

[v14]

as long as your not going to use it for courier work the insurance should be no more than a normal car m8.

i just insured my van for social use and it cost me £220 fully comp.

 

[Evastar]

Maybe it's different in the UK than it is here. But i know when my ex changed from a car to a hilux doublecab they made him get commercial insurance and charged him twice the price. And he wasn't doing anything different with the Hilux than he was with the car.

 

[miggy]

@Eva - I'm currently using my hatchback and it's full to the brim and we need to take more equipment so a small transit is the best choice as an Estate will not allow much more than what I already take. I'm gonna have to do some thinking about the insurance

@Miggy - Couldn't I get the parts from Euro Car Parts? They usually have affordable stuff. I have given people carries some thought but would prefer a diesel van although the commercial insurance is a bit off putting since I don't know what to expect

yes you could get your parts from europarts but they really are not very reliable cars.Your problem is convincing an insurance company that you are not going to use the van for business and for pleasure only.Maybe an estate car could be your solution like eva said.

 

[v14]

pick a van m8.

Van Insurance | Find great Van Insurance deals through Confused.com

you'll get social use no problem.

 

[DodgyTech]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Have you considered a box trailer and fitting a tow bar m8
BOX TRAILER on eBay (end time 09-Jul-10 19:05:33 BST)

You know I was actually looking for a trailer, but didn't know what the right term was. Only problem is that I don't have a drive and therefore it could be an easy target for thieves. I could get a wheel clamp though. This would be the best option if I could think of a way of securing it

Why would you need a numberplate? Just ring them and give them a make and model, actually give them a few makes and models

Just makes it easier to quickly see the prices on potential vans

as long as your not going to use it for courier work the insurance should be no more than a normal car m8.

i just insured my van for social use and it cost me £220 fully comp.

pick a van m8.

Van Insurance | Find great Van Insurance deals through Confused.com

you'll get social use no problem.

I just used that link and fook me that's expensive. Got no NCB as I've been a named driver for a while. Even as a named driver under a policy holder with 4 years NCB is about 1300 quid!!

Maybe it's different in the UK than it is here. But i know when my ex changed from a car to a hilux doublecab they made him get commercial insurance and charged him twice the price. And he wasn't doing anything different with the Hilux than he was with the car.

You're not from here? Where're you from then? I'm starting to think that box trailer is a really good idea as it was what I originally wanted lol. As I explained before though, it has some huge downsides

yes you could get your parts from europarts but they really are not very reliable cars.Your problem is convincing an insurance company that you are not going to use the van for business and for pleasure only.Maybe an estate car could be your solution like eva said.

Thanks mate, I will keep a heads up for those trouble makes/models, good advice that as I don't wanna go though shit if anything goes wrong if I get a van

 

[DodgyTech]

Something like this would be great. It's got twin axles and everything: BLUE LINE TRAILER WITH RAMP DOORS...8 X 5 X 6 on eBay (end time 10-Jul-10 21:23:19 BST) ... what do you guys think of something like this?

Think i'm gonna have to give up on getting a van. I'll have to wait patiently as we're planning on having a driveway done so I could put in an anchor to lock a trailer to.

Would I need insurance for this and what about my licence? Would a standard full uk licence do?

 

[manu1958]

Hi mate,remember if you have not been driving for that long you will not be able to tow a trailer unless you have done a trailer test.also buy a clamp it will get nicked if it is a good trailer.

 

[stihl260]

Something like this would be great. It's got twin axles and everything: BLUE LINE TRAILER WITH RAMP DOORS...8 X 5 X 6 on eBay (end time 10-Jul-10 21:23:19 BST) ... what do you guys think of something like this?

Think i'm gonna have to give up on getting a van. I'll have to wait patiently as we're planning on having a driveway done so I could put in an anchor to lock a trailer to.

Would I need insurance for this and what about my licence? Would a standard full uk licence do?

Yep the trailer license is a pain, we come across this all the time at work !
I cant remember the cut off point , but generaly i have noticed most people under 30 dont have Class E unles have taken a trailer test.

As far as im aware you may not need a trailer license unless you are towing anything over 750kg which tends to be the cut off point for being unbraked.

You need to check weather the rules only apply to commercial use, otherwise everyone who buys a caravan would need to take a test? which is unlikely , but who knows these days with such red tape from the EU.

We use large twin axel braked 2.5ton plant trailers and there are loads of rules and regs we have to conform to.

Yet i can put a small unbraked trailer on a vauxhall combo van and the young lad driving does not need a trailer ticket providing we do not exceed the weight limits.

The other thing to watch is the tow limit of the vehicle your using.
Most small cars are about 700kg unbraked and 900kg braked.
Larger cars tend to be up to 1900kg braked.

Above that and your in to the realms of commercial vehicles such as L200Crewcabs, Transit vans and anything up to 3.5 ton.
Shogun , Landrover etc.

The number of times i see large Ifor williams trailers ( usually car transporters) being towed by average Road cars is unbeleivable!
Not so funny when PC plod pulls you , VOSA Fine you and take you to the cleaners (impound your car & trailer etc).

While the trailer is attached to your car its usually covered for third party insurance, but check your policy carefully.

Personally i used to use my old Galaxy 7 seater with only 5 seats in it and the boot was big enough to put my Chainsaws, pole saw etc in the back , even small, ladders no problem .

 

[stihl260]

Maybe it's different in the UK than it is here. But i know when my ex changed from a car to a hilux doublecab they made him get commercial insurance and charged him twice the price. And he wasn't doing anything different with the Hilux than he was with the car.

Thats because the Hilux doublecab is sold as a commercial vehicle, wether you intend to use it as such or not.

I had a similar situation once when i owned an Escort 75 Van.
I had a hell of a job insuring it for private use, even though its clased as a Car Derived Van.

In the end i think i used tesco van insurance.

Anyway insurance in Ireland is a Rip off compared to mainland UK, or at least it used to be,lol

 

[fisco2001]

aslong as u passed your test b4 1997 you should be ok to tow a trailer if you passed after your gonna have to do the traller test.