Vans - what to buy or avoid?

[Steve_B]

I have no idea whata good-un or what a lemon.

Looking to purchase a transit sized van to store waterproofs & lifejackets and use as a mobile kiosk. Dialy mileage will be less than 2, so looking for secondhand with good bodywork so that we can have graphics all over.

So far have seen a Vauxhaul Vivaro 1.9 on a 54 (70,000m), on at £4400 + Vat. Loads of others around so dont know if a good deal or not.

Any guidance gratefully recieved or if you know of a good van .....

Steve

[C2 RIBS]

Steve, I have and still use daily a Toyota Hiace which has been great, very reliable and 130000 miles on a deisel 2.5. Have been asked many times to seel but it is a good one. If you can find the old shape in good nick the Hiace Compact is the one. They do a long wheel base which as more staorge but I can fill mine with surf boards, and powerboat stuff and when alarm is on I have a chance it is also secure and out of sight!

[The Grocer]

1) Don't get a Transit. I've had two; both died of rust (but I do live about 5 yards from the beach...)

2) Lightweight box trailer. We've been using one for two years; it's less than 2 metres long inside, but stows 24 sets waterproofs, 24 standard lifejackets, 4 infant lifejackets, 1 tender o/b, 2 paddles, various pumps and spares, publicity material and other bumph - and we can use it for advertising. It also cost less than £1500, doesn't use diesel and doesn't need road tax...

3) Don't get a Transit...

[Jizm]

Don't buy an LDV no matter how cheap it is, you won't be dissapointed with transit for the money, mk6 or 7, so yr 2000 on.
Gave £1500 for my 52 plate in Feb 2009 (from a friend, advertised for £1900) still going well, 2 years and 30k later the body is not looking as good now but only very minor spots and easy to tidy up. This is about my 5th ish transit and now looking for another, the newer models I mentioned are way ahead of the old mk5s etc and drive really well. Agree with the above regarding a box trailer, no tax, no insurance, no fuel, no mot (for now) etc...

[Markyboyo]

Mate has just bought a LWB 56 plate Vivaro with 60k for 5K all in so that 54 plate looks a little steep to me. Bog spec in white so could have something to do with it if the one you looked at had some toys/metpaint etc.

[Jizm]

oh yes and steer away from Merc vitos unless you like paying £650 for an alternator etc...

[spartacus]

Mercedes-Benz 308 CDi get's my vote. The Germans know how to make a good van! Loads of examples out there starting from £2k.