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How to buy used vans
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If you are buying second-hand vans you need to take into account the market, prices and the condition of the vehicles. Here is an essential guide.
Words Images: Kevin Swattow Like the economy, the used van market has been through a boom and bust cycle in the past three years. Up until the start of 2008, there were many used vans around that were worth a few quid.
But high volumes and price couldn't last and, with the market swamped, prices hit rock bottom by Christmas 2008. Buyers became selective and vendors stopped stocking their forecourts, only splashing out to satisfy a guaranteed deal.
Funding, too, became an issue and small businesses were unable, or unwilling, to trade in their vans. It all helped to stall the market. Sellers with an abundance of unsold stock reacted by lowering their prices and, gradually, the used market began to recover.
During 2009, as stock levels fell away, prices began to inch up.
The government's scrappage scheme didn't have the impact on vans as it did for cars but it did spark some innovative ideas, like the Mercedes-Benz Swoppage campaign for its Sprinter.
With the small-domestic and professional-trade van users coming back to market, the used van market is now feeling a little more optimistic. • Van Check was introduced 12 months ago by Manheim Auctions to try and provide buyers with more information when it comes to buying a second hand van.
It focuses on a 21-point mechanical inspection and is accredited by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMO. The inspection focuses on engine, transmission, driveline, electrics, steering and brakes, as well as windscreen, side doors, loadspace and tyres. Manheim also offer a 24-hour money back for any misinterpretations.
Van buyers using Manheim said detailed information about bodywork and mechanical condition would increase confidence to bid more money, says general manager of commercial vehicles, James Davis.
"For years buyers have calculated a 'what if' margin into the bid price of a van. Van Check is aimed at those buyers and enables them to bid with confidence," he says.
Manheim's Haydock site has taken on the Van Check scheme with two of its vendors, Lombard and Toyota, Roger Holder, the trade sales account manager for Lombard Vehicle Management, says Van Check is proving very successful with private buyers.
"It is adding to their confidence but its not the price that has been affected, it's the conversions," he says.
Sales that have been averaging 85% to 90% of stock sold have been increased to 100% in two recent sales with Lombard stock. "Where we have seen the biggest effect is in the run-of-the-mill stook like a Ford Transit Connect 220 with no side-loading door which has been selling first time." he says.
Traditionally the bought-as-seen approach means buyers swarm around a van when it rolls through the auction hall, with cursory inspections of the exhaust pipe for smoke, and checking the dashboard for any fault codes. Holder says that the biggest turn-off for private buyers is a dashboard light that refuses to go off because it indicates an inherent problem and a potentially costly repair. There has also been an increase in the number of vans at auction being sold online, says Haydock auction centre manager Simon Joyce, because online buyers can view the form. It has also led to more vans being competitively bid for between online buyers.
One of the biggest issues with buying a second hand van is the 'bought-as-seen' element. Unlike trucks, vans only require an annual MoT so establishing a service history can be difficult.
If there is a rule of thumb, it centres on specification.
Long-wheelbase, high-roof will denote vans working on the courier and home delivery markets. They get worked hard and have high mileage.
Medium-sized vans work in wider industries, although the main markets are the trades. These vans invariably have additional storage systems like racking and also have lower mileage.
Assessing car-derived vans is arguably the toughest job. They can belong to any type of business, be driven locally or nationally, and treated badly. To try to build a wider and more specific picture of a particular van, you can go to third-party information providers, like www. usedvanexpertoo.uk. It doesn't help with values, but it does focus on fault finding.
The website is an offshoot of www.usedcarexpert.co.uk and uses a network of service agents and garages to pinpoint common faults within a range of vehicles.
On the free website it tells you what sort of faults to look for, what a specific fault means, how to repair it, and how much it might cost.
Further advice includes where to run HPI checks, advice on bartering and selling your van quickly, how to spot clocking and handling disputes over repairs.
• www.usedvanexpert.co.uk
Volvo aims for capital dominance
SIMON RODGERS intends to make Volvo the vehicle of choice for operators in the capital, following his appointment as the sales director for Volvo Truck and Bus Centre London.
Rodgers has more than 20 years of experience in the automotive, commercial vehicle and construction sectors and will draw on this in his endeavour to make Volvo the -number one natural choice in the London region as the preferred partner for all sizes and types of transport operator".
He adds:"I have already had the pleasure of meeting a number of businesses in the London area and they want to work with a partner who can maximise their revenues and productivity, minimise their downtime and offer innovative and creative solutions to their ever-changing business needs.
Rodgers pinpoints Volvo's Tuelwatch' training programme, Driver CPC training, workshop technicians and accident repair as important tools to help operators become more profitable.
He will be based out of the Hayes dealership, in west London. •