Planning to sell your van in the next few months? You might assume repairing every fault first will get you a better price. Sometimes that is the case. However, spending money on repairs before selling a van doesn’t always make financial sense.
Usually, you should only pay for repairs when they’re likely to add more to the van’s value than they cost. Minor, inexpensive fixes can make a van more appealing, but costly mechanical or bodywork repairs may leave you out of pocket.
At Sell The Van, we buy vans in all kinds of conditions, including vans with mechanical problems and bodywork damage. If you’re thinking, “I want to sell my van in the UK, but should I fix it first?”, getting a valuation before booking repairs can help you make a more informed decision.
Is It Worth Repairing a Van Before Selling It?
It depends on the cost of the repair, the van’s current value and how much the work is realistically likely to increase its selling price.
Imagine a garage quotes you £1,500 to repair a mechanical problem. If completing the work is only likely to increase your van’s value by around £700, spending the £1,500 simply to make it easier to sell wouldn’t make much financial sense.
This is particularly important with older or high-mileage vans. Their overall resale value may mean there’s a limit to how much expensive repairs can add.
Before agreeing to substantial work, compare the cost of repairing your van with what it could be worth in its current condition.
Which Repairs Could Be Worth Doing?
Small jobs can sometimes be worthwhile, particularly when they’re cheap to complete and remove an obvious issue.
For example, replacing a blown bulb or addressing another straightforward problem could improve a buyer’s first impression without costing much.
Cleaning the van is also sensible. Removing rubbish from the cab and load area and giving the vehicle a basic clean allows its genuine condition to be seen more easily.
The calculation changes when you’re considering expensive mechanical work, major bodywork repairs or replacing costly components. At that point, it’s worth finding out what your van is worth as it stands.
Should I Fix Mechanical Problems Before Selling My Van?
Not necessarily. A van with mechanical problems can still have value, and you don’t always need to repair it before selling.
Problems with the engine, gearbox, clutch, turbo, DPF or other components can become expensive quickly. You may also discover additional faults once repairs begin.
If your main reason for repairing the fault is to sell the vehicle immediately afterwards, ask yourself a simple question: will I actually get the repair cost back in the selling price?
At Sell The Van, we buy vans with mechanical problems as well as perfectly running vehicles. That means you can get a van valuation in its current condition and compare the offer with your expected repair costs.
You might find that selling your faulty van as it is provides the simpler option.
What About Dents, Scratches and Bodywork Damage?
Cosmetic damage doesn’t automatically mean you should visit a bodyshop before selling.
A few scratches, dents or signs of working life are common on used commercial vehicles. Paying for professional bodywork purely to make an older van look perfect may cost more than the additional value it creates.
More substantial bodywork damage will naturally affect a van valuation, but that still doesn’t mean repairing it is always the right financial choice.
We buy vans with clean bodywork and vans with bodywork damage, so you can sell your van without having to make it showroom-perfect first.
Repair Costs vs Value of the Van
The most useful way to make your decision is to look at the numbers rather than simply assuming a repaired van is always worth more.
Consider:
- what the repair will cost;
- what your van is worth with the fault;
- its likely value after the repair;
- whether further problems could be uncovered; and
- how quickly you want to sell.
For example, spending £300 to resolve an issue that could increase your van’s value by £600 might make sense. Spending £2,000 to achieve an estimated £1,000 increase clearly doesn’t.
There’s also your time to consider. Garage appointments, sourcing parts and waiting for repairs can delay a sale, particularly if you need to replace the van or free up money quickly.
Can I Sell My Van As-Is in the UK?
Yes. You can sell a van with existing faults or damage, provided you’re honest about its condition.
You don’t have to transform a used commercial vehicle into a perfect example before finding a buyer. There are buyers, including Sell The Van, who purchase vehicles in a wide range of conditions.
Being clear about known mechanical faults, warning lights, accident damage and other issues also helps produce a more accurate van valuation and reduces the chance of surprises later.
Get a Valuation Before Spending Money on Repairs
If you’re deciding whether to repair or sell, knowing your van’s current value gives you something concrete to work with.
At Sell The Van, we’re a family-run van buying service with a combined 70 years of experience buying commercial vehicles from businesses and private individuals. We buy new and used vans, running and broken vans, vehicles with mechanical problems, damaged vans and vans without a valid MOT.
Simply provide your registration and some basic information about the vehicle, and we can assess your van and make an offer. We offer free collection across the UK, payment by bank transfer and no admin charges or hidden fees.
So before spending hundreds or thousands of pounds getting your van ready for sale, find out what it’s worth today. You may discover that the most cost-effective repair is the one you don’t make.