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Buying a second-hand van checklist

Rob Griffin - 22 Sep 2021

Decide what type of van you need

Vans are bought for a variety of reasons. Do you want one to drive daily or just to transport your family at weekends? Is the plan to turn it into a camper for weekends away?

Or do you plan to start up a business and need a potential workhorse?

How you’ll use it will shape the type and size of van you need. Is there any point buying a 3.5-tonne beast if you run a gardening business and only need to carry a mower and a couple of spades?

To find the type of van you need, read our guide to the different van body types.

To find the best van to buy second hand it’s also worth looking for used versions of the latest models.

Check out the best pick-up trucks, electric vans and small vans currently available as well as the best vans overall.

If you want to cut your carbon footprint by buying an electric van, find out everything you need to know in our electric vans guide.

Do your research on van models

As well as reading reviews of van models online, it’s also worth joining owners’ forums on Facebook for the models you’re interested in.

You’ll enjoy free access to the knowledge and expertise of current owners who are more than willing to share their experiences – both good and bad.

They'll also help you decide which of the range is most desirable, highlight any known issues with particular years and tell you what to look out for on any test drive.

They can also tell you how much you should expect to pay.

When you’re thinking about what to buy you should consider the payload of van models – the maximum load they can carry.

The load space is also important to make sure you’ll be able to fit in whatever you need to.

There certainly isn’t a shortage of vans available. Keep an eye on AutoTrader, local Facebook pages and other websites such as Gumtree for any models you particularly favour.You can also ask dealers to keep an eye out.

The owners’ forums could also be a useful source of vans for sale. The problem won’t be finding vans, it'll be setting search limits. Think about how much you want to spend and try to stick to that budget.

Check the van history

You should find out as much as possible about the van before arranging a test drive.

How a van has been used will tell you a lot about its state of health.

A high-mileage example that's been serviced regularly and only used for light goods could be better than one with fewer miles that's been forced to carry heavy loads.

It’s essential to check the following van documents before you decide to buy it:

V5C, also known as the registration document or log book – this tells you who the registered keeper is, which could be a person’s name or a company. Check that the person or company you’re dealing with and their address match what’s on the V5C.

You should also check that all the other information on it tallies. Check the make and model of the van, the number plate and the vehicle identification number (VIN). You can find the VIN number at the bottom of the windscreen.

The document will also show you how long the person selling the van has owned it and how many previous owners it’s had. If a van has been sold frequently it could be a sign that it’s not up to scratch.

Be suspicious if the seller says they don’t have the V5C. Don’t buy a van without seeing this first.

MOT certificates – as well as a record of when it passed or failed, these should highlight any problems, defects and advisory notices.

If the seller doesn’t have the current certificate to hand you can use our MOT check tool to find out if it currently has a valid MOT.

Ideally the seller will be able to give you a bundle of the van’s previous MOT certificates. If not, you can check it’s MOT history on GOV.UK.

You can also get a V888 form on GOV.UK. This lets you send off for information about the van or registered keeper from the DVLA if you have ‘reasonable cause’ for concern.

Service history – you should ask to see the van’s service history to make sure it’s been regularly serviced and maintained well. This will also help you sell it in the future as long as you continue to service it regularly.

Test driving and van insurance

If you decide to arrange a test drive make sure you’re properly insured, especially if it’s a private sale.

If you’re not protected by the owner’s policy you may need to take out short-term cover. Speak to your insurance company to see how much this might cost.

It’s also worth checking how much the van would cost to insure before you buy it by comparing van insurance quotes. If it’s sky high this could be a deal breaker.

Buying a used van inspection checklist   

You should check the following before buying a van:

• Rust – are there any signs of it?
• Accident damage/repairs – are there any signs of these?
• Tyres – are they the correct ones for the van and is the wear even?
• Suspension – are the shock absorbers in good condition?
• Cabin – is it in a reasonable condition and does everything inside work?

Rust

Pay close attention to under the wheel arches and around the door frame as these will be harder to see than on the wings.

When you spot rust, press down on it gently and if there are slight cracking sounds then the problem may go deeper. 

Accident damage/repairs

A mismatch of paint colours is often a giveaway. This can also indicate that the van has been written off and repaired.

Tyres

If the wear isn’t even across the front and rear treads there could be a problem with the suspension or wheel alignment.

The tyre depth also needs to be a minimum depth of 1.6mm to be legal in the UK.

Suspension

A general test of the suspension can be carried out by pressing down hard on one corner and seeing how quickly it bounces back. It should return to its original position quickly and smoothly.

Cabin

Have a look around. If it’s been a tradesperson’s wheels it may well look a tad worn. But a lot of this built-up grime can be cleaned away by giving the van a clean.

Check that the seat belts all lock properly, the windscreen wipers are in good order, and the electronic controls all work.

Dan Powell, managing editor of Honest John Vans, advises checking all the doors open – from inside and out.

“Always check the heater and air conditioning are working and be mindful of any strange odours, which might indicate a faulty component or blockage in the system,” he says. “You should also inspect the load bay for signs of damage.”

Start the van up from cold

When you start the van look out for black or blue smoke pouring out of the exhaust, as well as any engine warning lights that stay on.

Listen out for any weird rattles or banging noises, especially when you accelerate.

The same goes for when you’re on the test drive. Pay attention to squeaks, knocks or grinding, especially when you brake.

The steering should feel responsive. If the van wants to weave all over the road or there’s a lot of play then that’s a warning sign.

You may want to pay for a vehicle inspection to make sure you get the full picture.

Your finance options when buying a van

If you need finance to buy a van or want to get something you wouldn’t be able to afford without it, these are your options. They’re available whether you’re buying from a dealer or privately:

• Hire purchase (HP) – you pay a deposit then make monthly payments until you own the van.
• Personal contract purchase (PCP) – you make smaller monthly payments then either return the van or make a larger payment to fully own it.
• Personal contract hire (PCH) – you lease the van then return it at the end of the specified period.
• Personal loan – not technically van finance but it could turn out to be a cheaper option.

To find out more visit our guide to van finance options.

If you're happy with the van, agree a price with the seller. Once you’ve got your finances sorted you can arrange a time for collection.

Make sure you fill in the V5C document to change the registration details. Also, don’t forget to arrange tax and van insurance before you pick it up.