Buying a second hand van

My van was stolen back in December. I used it to carry big drums around to schools to do workshops.

I don't know much about vans at all and am finding the whole searching thing really distressing.

I have £3k (max) from our drum fund and need a decent trustworthy van to work. I have work finally coming in this month and no van.

I looked at Vauxhall Vivaros and their dopplegangers (Nissan Primastar & Renault Trafic) and found both good and bad reviews - my mechanic said "I wouldn't go there."

I looked at VW Transporters & Toyota Hiaces - but I live in London so LEZ means a decent one will be out of my budget. I need a van for a good few years and do a lot of mileage.

I looked at Ford Transits T260-280 and found both good and bad reviews for them and now I am feeling overwhelmed and unable to find any one particular van to target.

I can find someone to check the vehicle out (for a price) when I do find a van, but have to find one or two first and until then, feel very on my own (depsite putting the call for help out to my mechanic and others who can look) as it's me who needs to find something urgently, not them!

If you could put me in the right direction, I can go and look, but the internet is a minefield for me right now as 'every' van could go wrong.

I am looking for:

£3k max cost
Around 100,000 mileage
2004/5 upwards (due to LEZ law)
Full service history
Few owners (hopefully)
Diesel or petrol
Manual or auto
Fairly clean van (as we have to turn up for gigs)

Asked on 8 February 2012 by Lizzy66

Answered by Honest John
A Trafic/Vivaro/Primastar has the lowest floor so is easiest to load. But getting a decent one for £3k is pushing it. Probably need to go to the LCV auction at BCA Blackbushe on a Thursday. Remember to mentally add 20% VAT to your bid price.

HJ
Similar questions
I purchased a car from BCA which had a mechanical report. This shows the car has a good battery, drives well but has a bit of smoke from the exhaust. The vehicle is stated as all good, with the exception...
I bought a Honda Civic at a British Car Auctions in Enfield 3 weeks ago. It was listed as having 2 service stamps. When I later inspected the Service Book closely, I saw that there were 9 stamps, the...
My daughter is 25 and has just passed her driving test, I have seen a 56 plate Peugeot 207 1.4 petrol, with 40,000 miles on the clock. It drives very well and is for sale at £4,795.00. As I will be paying...
 

Value my van

Save £75 on Warranty using code HJ75

with MotorEasy

Get a warranty quote

Save 12% on GAP Insurance

Use HJ21 to save on an ALA policy

See offer