Recessions is rife. Bad news all round. Well unless you are a buyer that is.

Its a buyers market out there at the moment, especially for things like houses, vans and cars. Weather its new or used, you should be able to get a great deal on what you are looking for, perhaps getting thousands off the price you would have paid this time last year.

Buying Used Vans

White van men everywhere have faced hard times as their industries struggle in the recession. This means there are a lot of used vans out there for good prices. In fact the value of used vans has dipped a lot lower than new ones, so even if you are thinking of buying a new one, it might be worth going second hand as you could find a lot of extra cash in your pocket.

Much like the used car buying process, there are many pitfalls that await you unless you are savvy about buying a used van. This section of the van buying guide, will examine the things you should look out for and help you find not only a cheap used van, but the right used van for you.

Here are some things to remember when looking for used vans:

Type and specification – As with a new van you should have a firm idea of what make and model of used van you want and what specifications you want it to have. Look around online and there are so many online directories that you now have a much wider scope when searching for used vans, so there is no need to settle for something that doesn’t meet your expectations.

Pricing – With used vans, you do not have suggested retail prices to follow. The cost of the van will vary based on its wear and tear, the number of miles it has on the clock, and its vehicle repair history. You should familiarise yourself with what similar models are selling for. Always try and get a cheaper price, never go for the asking price as 99% of the time people are willing to negotiate, but don’t insult them.

Standard of the vehicle – What features does the used van include? Does it come with air conditioning for example, electric windows or power steering (which is particularly important on large vans)? Do you need all-wheel drive – which is particularly useful if you regularly encounter hazardous driving conditions? What are the van’s safety features and how many miles does it get to the gallon? You should inspect the vehicle thoroughly before you buy.

Test drive the van – Test driving a used van is much more important than test driving a new van. Generally speaking, new vans should all be of a similar standard – but used vans can vary massively depending on how they have been driven in the past. There are many factors to look for on a test drive including:

Mileage – How many miles has the van travelled in the past? You should ask to see a full service history and if you feel that the mileage clock has been tampered with, look at the interior of the van to see if it shows more signs of wear and tear than it should.

Brakes – Test the brakes thoroughly by performing an ‘emergency stop’ on a deserted patch of road. If the brakes grind, it usually means that the brake pads or shoes are worn. If the used van skids or swerves, the problem should be investigated.

Engine – Examine the oil and anti-freeze levels to see how well the van has been maintained. Also drive the van when it is cold – this should indicate if there are any problems with the ignition.

Gearbox – Do the gears move smoothly? Release the clutch pedal to see if there are any signs of a worn bearing.

Tyres – Check that they are at legal levels!

Source : www.thevanwebsite.co.uk