The Search For A Second-Hand Van Should Include The Cost Of Repairing It

Whilst not many of us can afford to go out and buy a new van there are
many that feel the second-hand market is fraught with such obstacles that
it seems new is the only way to go. But If we stop to consider for a second
that within all the second-hand vehicles there are some that make the
search worthwhile then it only takes a bit more thought to realise that
with a little more preparation we could find a good van and if there is
something undisclosed about it that becomes obvious later we know how and
where to get it fixed.

So to start with we need one of those places you see driving around your
local town or city that displays a sign for ‘vans wanted‘. Here we have the temporary resting place of old
and broken vans. Within these premises quite often there are also
warehouses full of dismantled vans that are for sale as van spares.

So it stands to reason that if we could find a basically good quality van
that the fundamentals are good on then the fact that a few ancillary
components might be broken or about to break is not to big a deal. The
ability to assess a second-hand van for its basic mechanical condition is
key here. Always take a qualified mechanic with you, or maybe you are one
yourself, to diagnose the mechanical basics like engine, brake, rust and
electrical condition – even if you have to pay a small fee for this. It is
far better to spend fifty pounds once or twice in your search than to spend
one or two thousand pounds only to end up with a lame donkey.

Once the basics have been established it remains only to negotiate the
price that accurately reflects the quality of the rest of the vehicle. This
is not just about getting the cheapest price but more about having some of
your budget left over to repair ancillary parts that will inevitably fail
within the first few days or weeks of ownership. The cost of those van parts can be
ascertained at the time of purchase and worked into your offer for the van.

So although it may seem that you have saved some money after the purchase
you must under no circumstances then spend the ’savings’ on beer and loose
women but instead put it away for the day that you need to repair this new
purchase to bring it to the working capacity you require. As the saying
goes caveat emptor – let the buyer beware.