What should I look for when buying a used van?
I've found what looks like a great deal on a van (2017 Renault Trafic, 20,000 miles, £14,250). Is there anything in particular I should be looking out for? Any alarm bells or questions to ask?
Asked on 8 January 2023 by Thomas Pinches
Answered by
Dan Powell
Is the van being sold online or have you spotted it at a local dealer's forecourt? If it's online, is the person a private or trade seller?
There are many scams circulating with online vans. And the first red flag will be the price (which will be much lower than other vehicles for sale). Alarm bells should ring if the seller asks you to pay a fee upfront or insists on bringing the vehicle to your home or meeting you somewhere like a lay-by or supermarket car park (scammers don't want you to know where they live, obviously).
Regardless of who the seller is, they should meet you at their home address or trade premises. If buying privately, the seller should have the V5C logbook and be happy to show you photo identification - the home address and ID should both match the name and address on the V5C.
If the seller claims they are selling on behalf of a friend/family relative or the V5C logbook details don't match the address then walk away and find another van to buy. The Renault Traffic is a popular van and there are thousands for sale. There really is no need to take a risk on a van with a questionable history.
There are many scams circulating with online vans. And the first red flag will be the price (which will be much lower than other vehicles for sale). Alarm bells should ring if the seller asks you to pay a fee upfront or insists on bringing the vehicle to your home or meeting you somewhere like a lay-by or supermarket car park (scammers don't want you to know where they live, obviously).
Regardless of who the seller is, they should meet you at their home address or trade premises. If buying privately, the seller should have the V5C logbook and be happy to show you photo identification - the home address and ID should both match the name and address on the V5C.
If the seller claims they are selling on behalf of a friend/family relative or the V5C logbook details don't match the address then walk away and find another van to buy. The Renault Traffic is a popular van and there are thousands for sale. There really is no need to take a risk on a van with a questionable history.
From economical vans to those that have the largest payloads, we have a shortlist for everyone - click to find out which will suit your needs.
Undecided on which van to buy? Our Top 10 shortlists can help...Similar questions
Which do you think I should be looking to buy, a Mercedes-Benz Vito or Volkswagen Transporter? I will be keeping the vehicle for approx 10 years.
I'm in the process of looking for a small van and not sure what make to go for. I want something reliable as I would be using it to do vintage markets. I would also want something that I could convert...
Our Volkswagen T5 just keeps on going (320,000 miles) but we would like to replace with a cleaner van. We don't want full electric (yet), and we don't think we should be buying a new diesel. Are there...
Related models
Refined and comfortable, L1 capable of carrying three Euro pallets, new 2.0 dCi from 2019 is quiet and punchy, 2022 update improves safety.
Elsewhere on 
