Driving should always be fun but when you get back to basics, a vehicle is practical and it has a job to do. If you’re just getting from A to B then a car is fine and you can focus on choosing one that’s comfortable, stylish and fun to drive. But if you’re using it for work, fun is only part of the package. You’ll need something more robust that can carry a decent amount of weight and isn’t going to break down on you. A van is your best bet here. Buying a van is slightly different to buying a car and there are different things you need to look out for. If you’ve never bought one before, here are the things you should be checking for when buying a van.
Dimensions
When you’re buying a car you’ll look at the size, of course, but more in relation to how many people you can fit in there. You’ll check the boot space as well, but you aren’t likely to get in there with a tape measure. If you’re buying a van, however, you need to be more precise. Think about what you’re likely to be carrying in the back and make sure it’s actually big enough. You need to think about the weight limit as well. A surprising number of people are driving around with their vans overloaded which is incredibly dangers for you as well as other road users. You have to make absolutely sure that the weight capacity is big enough for your needs so you’re always being safe. If you’re caught driving with too much weight, you can get points on your license and a big fine.
Running Costs
A work vehicle is essentially an asset and any running costs are eating into your profits as a business so it’s vital that you take them into account before making a decision. Insurance is a big one that people often forget about and it can be expensive on a van. Check the different models that you’re considering and see how much they’ll be to insure and always shop around for cheap van insurance, don’t just look at the same companies you use to insure your car. The fuel consumption is important too; it’s going to be higher than a car but you can still find vans that are economical to drive.
Reliability
This one is tied into the running costs because if the van is prone to breakdowns, you’ll be paying higher insurance or shelling out to fix it all the time. Surveys show that around half of commercial vans fail their first MOT, often for minor problems but sometimes for bigger issues. One way to prevent that is to do regular maintenance but you need to pick a reliable vehicle in the first place. Check out this list of the most reliable vans to help you make a better decision. Choosing well in the first place will save you a lot of hassle in the future.
Always keep these 3 things in mind when you’re shopping for a van and you’ll drive off the lot with a good deal.
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