Sell Your Used Van

Used vans have become increasingly popular in the UK as a cost-effective method of transporting goods. Compared to new vans, used vans are cheaper to buy and, if well maintained, can last from anywhere between 5 and 20 years. By the end of 2022, there were 4.5 million vans on the road, this representing a 37% increase from 2012.

The Growing Need for Used Vans

With Britain once described as a nation of shopkeepers, today it is a very much a nation of the self-employed, with jobs such as plumbers, electricians, builders, carpenters, cleaners, decorators, and house removal specialists all needing used vans to keep their businesses running effectively.

Popular Used Vans in London

In the London area, some of the most popular used vans include the Ford Transit, Citroen Berlingo, Citroen Dispatch, Citroen Relay, Mercedes Sprinter and Vauxhall Vivaro. All of these vans can be driven on a normal driving licence.

The Reliability of the Mercedes Sprinter

One of the most reliable used vans is the Mercedes Sprinter, especially the bulletproof 2.1 CDI engine which ran in models from 2008 onwards. These vans very rarely suffered from engine and gearbox problems, with the biggest issue on these vehicles being rust on the bodywork. They are one of the most reliable used vans on the market and are often seen with mileages above 500,000 if well maintained.

Challenges of Owning a Used Van

The main disadvantage of used vans is that, when they fall out of the 3-year manufacturer warranty period, repairs can often be expensive with it hard to find reliable garages to fix mechanical issues linked to a diesel engine. These include turbo, injector, timing chain, piston rings, clutch and head gasket faults. When the cost of fixing these faults becomes excessive, lots of people have chosen to sell their broken van to sellthevan.co.uk.

Additional Costs and Maintenance

As well as mechanical issues, used vans must undergo an annual MOT inspection which costs around £50 a year, as well as the cost of remedying any mechanical and safety issues that the MOT can highlight.

As well as mechanical issues, used vans can often suffer from bodywork damage due to careless driving, which makes them less appealing from a visual perspective. Businesses often like to have clean looking vans as it gives them an aura of professionalism which a battered, old van may not.

The Difficulty of Selling a Used Van

Another disadvantage of owning a used van is the difficulty of selling it. While people often used websites such as Autotrader, eBay, Gumtree and Facebook, it can be intimidating selling your old van to a stranger who you don’t know and trust.

Why Choose Sell The Van?

If you are looking to sell your used van in the London area that has mechanical problems or bodywork damage, you could consider selling it to sellthevan.co.uk. They offer a cost-effective solution to selling your van and their free collection service may save you time.