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what van?

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villa_tom said:
This is where I'm at now. I've had my van 3 years on a 56 plate. I had no bother at all for the first two years and in the past year it's broken down 3 times, cost me roughly 600 in repairs and about 2.5k in earrings :-(

its been a good van though, its done nearly 190k miles so its due an update.

Once I've got m house sorted ill have a real good look, I've got 7k put aside, separate from my house deposit for a van.

Im looking at a brand new one and looking at pre registered ones as they are cheaper. Looking to spend about 12k, I should be able to get a dispatch or an expert for that.

At the moment I'm driving a berlingo and finding space an issue, so a slightly bigger van will be better 🙂
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You can get a pre reg transit/relay for 12k mate
 
michael c said:
You can get a pre reg transit/relay for 12k mate
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To be honest I've not really had a real look. I'd like an expert/partner as I've driven one before. I've driven a transit and didnt like it, I had one for 6 months when I worked at the council.

Slightly off topic, but does anyone know the best place to look for pre registered vans?
 
Ray Stafford said:
OUch!
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Its been a killer. One breakdown was sorted on the spot.

One was a clutch, and took four days to sort. And the other one was a power steering pump, that took three days to sort.

Its not so up much the days off that kills my earnings, its the fact that the time off makes me loose my monthly bonus :-(
 
Yes was always worried about how much the rental firms would sting you for when your returning the van after contract hires. Has anyone done this and not bought the van after? Also Ray did they give you decent price when you bought it off the hire firm? Also what happens of you hire a van through a ltd company and then have to close the ltd company down, who's liable for the van? Can you just hand it back?
 
Ray Stafford said:
If its been sound, then hang on to it, and try to stick away a few quid when you can against the day you need it.

The trouble with vans is that there comes a point where you are throwing good money after bad, but you can't tell that at the time - you only realise it when you get the third bill in 6 months.
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But sometimes it is wise to "Better the devil you know".

I don't want to ditch my Caddy, it is in good visual condition, has a simple non-turbocharged engine that fires up in miliseconds even in the depths of winter, had the cambelt changed, rear brakes overhauled, new front discs and pads, spent just shy of £400 having it sign written but I'm finding it too small for my needs now.
 
iain85 said:
Yes was always worried about how much the rental firms would sting you for when your returning the van after contract hires. Has anyone done this and not bought the van after? Also Ray did they give you decent price when you bought it off the hire firm? Also what happens of you hire a van through a ltd company and then have to close the ltd company down, who's liable for the van? Can you just hand it back?
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Never hand a vehicle back with dents if you can possibly avoid it. Get a local body shop to sort it. Also, check that all the bits are there - jack, spare wheel, service record, spare key - they charge like a wounded Rhino for those things. And clean the signwriting off carefully.

Our hand-backs average between £400 and £2000 - not so many of the latter now because we have wised up. The worst thing is a little ding in each of several different body panels.

The end-of-contract prices vary. Back in 2009/10 they were dirt cheap (About £3000 for a 3yr old LWB with 60k on it) , and we bought almost everything. Since then, I think the 2nd hand Relay market must have improved, because now they are asking £5000k - £6000 for the same van.

There are a few tricks - when you phone up for a quote, never tell them that you are under or over the contract mileage. If its under, they will want it back, because you have paid for miles you haven't used. If its over, they will hike the price, because they know that if you don't buy it, you will have to pay the excess mileage fee. Always tell them that the mileage looks like it will be spot on at the end of contract.

Regarding the limited company thing, I think that the liability would rest with the company, unless you have signed a personal guarantee. But best to check that with a lawyer.
 
iain85 said:
Yes was always worried about how much the rental firms would sting you for when your returning the van after contract hires. Has anyone done this and not bought the van after? Also Ray did they give you decent price when you bought it off the hire firm? Also what happens of you hire a van through a ltd company and then have to close the ltd company down, who's liable for the van? Can you just hand it back?
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ltd co law isnt as robust as in the past and I gather that if you are ltd, somewhere in the paperwork they will want you to sign and be responsible so they arent burnt. All i know is as a sole trader credit is easy as soon as you go ltd things can change quite quickly on the credit front for the worse! ray is probablt more experienced on that side being that he offers credit to individuals and ltd co
 
Cheers Ray, it's that unknown at the end of contract that had always puts me off. Do they even come look at it or try and negotiate the sale over the phone to,avoid having to come pick it up I suppose?
just museing really about if for what ever reason you needed to jack it in whether you get stuck with the van/payments?
 
Anyone else doing the lease route? I'm just about to pull the trigger on buying a new nv200 but the lease thing could free up some readies for a chilled out summer : )
 
I bought mine outright with a bank loan and deposit. The way I look at it when it's paid for your on bonus time, free/cheap motoring. Mines now paid for and the only way it's going is if it starts to rust or lets me down. Don't forget 2k or so in repairs is cheaper than depreciation. Leasing is ok for bigger vat registered companies, but don't think its viable for small businesses when you do the Maths. One other thing is I've bought two new vans in my time, never again. Next time it'll be one or two years old, the saving is immense.
 
how about grey imports?

registered in jersey, rented out for 6months or 6kmiles then imported to uk mainland + minus the vat?
found at your local bca.! big savings
 
iain85 said:
Cheers Ray, it's that unknown at the end of contract that had always puts me off. Do they even come look at it or try and negotiate the sale over the phone to,avoid having to come pick it up I suppose?
just museing really about if for what ever reason you needed to jack it in whether you get stuck with the van/payments?
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They don't come and look at it before you negotiate a purchase. They do come and do an inspection when you are handing it back, and you can argue with the inspector until you are blue in the face - I think they choose them from ex-traffic wardens who got kicked out for lacking a sense of humour.

I think that Citroen have a deal with British Car Auctions or someone similar to do the collection - so at that stage you aren't dealing with the contract hire company any more.
 
REDSAW said:
how about grey imports?

registered in jersey, rented out for 6months or 6kmiles then imported to uk mainland + minus the vat?
found at your local bca.! big savings
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More details please, not heard of this.
 
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Just had a guy i asked about a van the other day get back in touch offering to take 3k its a 57 plate transit swb 2.2 with 90k. I plan to do 15-20k a year and would look to keep around 2 years. Whats peoples thoughts? I am fancying a new shape relay now though.
 
Sounds good, take it for a long test drive. And make sure you see it started from cold, lift the bonnet and put your hand on the engine. If its warmed up it can hide a smokey engine.
 
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