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Thinking about buying a used van but unsure what to look out for? Quest Motor Group are here to help!
Unlike a new van that is fresh from the factory, a used van will typically have travelled thousands of miles over several years and so it’s important to know what to look out for if you’re thinking about purchasing a used van.
First and foremost, you need to understand the used van market and know your budget. Work out whether you will be buying outright with cash or use finance.
Then, you’ll want to make a decision on what kind of van you’re looking for. Some factors to consider are:
Once you’ve decided on a style that suits you, you’ll want to begin your search. With over four million vans on the road, there certainly will not be a shortage of used vans for sale.
Then, once you’ve found the ideal van for you, there are some basic checks you should carry out, even when purchasing from a main dealer.
Bodywork – it’s important to look for any rust or scratches on the bodywork. Pay close attention to the wheel arches and door frame and ensure to check for signs of any damage or repairs.
Tyres – The tread needs to be at least 1.6mm to be road legal. This is an important one to check as once you’ve purchased a van, you don’t then want to have to fund a bill for new tyres too.
Engine – Check the condition of the engine so that you can gain an idea as to how well the van was looked after by previous owners.
Interior – The interior is just as important as the exterior, so be sure to check for wear and tear.
Once you’ve had an initial check around the van, it’s important that you’re able to take it out for a test drive as the van may drive differently to how it looks.
When driving the van, you can then establish if there are any problems with how the van starts, steering, brakes, controls and much more. It is important to trust your instincts if something doesn’t feel quite right – be sure not to make a quick decision when purchasing.
Whilst mileage is a big factor, it often does little to determine how the vehicle has been used or how well it may have been looked after. For example, a van that may have done more mileage but that has been regularly serviced and well maintained should be more trustworthy than a lower mileage van that hasn’t been looked after.
It’s also important to be aware of the history of the van – for instance how old is it, how many miles has it done, does it have any service history etc. This will give you a good idea as to how well the van has been looked after previously.
Here at Quest Motor Group, we stock a wide range of used vans ready to get you and your business on the road. All our vans here at Quest Motor Group are advertised online with unedited photographs of the interior and exterior, so you can see the condition of the vehicle you’re buying before arriving at the dealership. Plus, our trained technicians complete a full 121 point check of every vehicle, so you don’t need to be an expert and can rest assured that we’ve already checked your next van over, all backed but our comprehensive warranty.
Browse our current stock online or pop down and see our van specialist at Quest Motor Group Braintree to find out more.
