Unless your planning on changing the van after 3 years and just keep paying the depreciation all the time. Then its absolute bonkers buying something to keep that looses up to 50% of its value after 3 years.

Theres not anymore risk in buying a fully serviced 3 year.old van with similar miles than the one youd have of you bought it brand new.

I wouldnt advise buying something to old or with very high mileage, but 3 to 4 years old with millege that represented that then aslong as its been serviced you really shouldn't have to much of a problem.

Main dealership services though. Not independant garage services.

Ex fleet vans from someone like BT, and you won't go far wrong.

Its actually true what hes saying too, if reliability is your main issue, then buying an older van with a tried and tested bullet proof engine is more than likely going to give you less hassle than a new one.

Modern engines are more complex adding stress to them with having to be built to meet tree huggers emissions etc.

Most people will.buy a new van because of reliability.

But thats not really the case. The newer vans euro 6 have a lot of issues with dpfs. Theres the wet belt issues with ford's the chain issues with the Peugeots etc. When a newer van goes wrong its having to deal with warranty and a dealer and if you are just outside that and your engine blows it can be 5 grand or whatever.

Even if an older van costs you more in replaced wear an tear items like suspension, brakes etc and maybe a clutch and a starter and bits here and there it will always work out better than the massive depreciation you pay on a new van.

If the new van depreciates 15k over 5 years (it will be more)  thats 3k a year that has to go wrong with the older van. Ive had about 10 or 15 vans and never had anything like that, you could replace the entire engine and gearbox every year for that and still beat the depreciation.

Depends though, I cant remember last time I went to a garage ive done clutches, injectors, cambelts and all the usual servicing stuff on my driveway. Only time I go to a garage is mot time.

10 to 15 vans!    , you were doing so well till you said that, hardly a good advert for buying used, what on earth have you been doing with them? Im on my 3rd, which I've had 2 yrs, (all 2nd hand) in 21 years. How long are yours lasting?

Most people will.buy a new van because of reliability.

But thats not really the case. The newer vans euro 6 have a lot of issues with dpfs. Theres the wet belt issues with ford's the chain issues with the Peugeots etc. When a newer van goes wrong its having to deal with warranty and a dealer and if you are just outside that and your engine blows it can be 5 grand or whatever.

Even if an older van costs you more in replaced wear an tear items like suspension, brakes etc and maybe a clutch and a starter and bits here and there it will always work out better than the massive depreciation you pay on a new van.

If the new van depreciates 15k over 5 years (it will be more)  thats 3k a year that has to go wrong with the older van. Ive had about 10 or 15 vans and never had anything like that, you could replace the entire engine and gearbox every year for that and still beat the depreciation.

Depends though, I cant remember last time I went to a garage ive done clutches, injectors, cambelts and all the usual servicing stuff on my driveway. Only time I go to a garage is mot time.

Ive never had a single issue with my DPF in 9 years.

Serviced every year and a few tyres and brake pads front and back. That's it.

I wouldn't want to be messing about changing vans and systems every few years esp using a diesel heater.

Once every 15 years is fine. I'll change mine when im 60 for another brand new van and system and that should see me out to 74 then I might retire fully by then. Who knows?😄

Most people will.buy a new van because of reliability.

But thats not really the case. The newer vans euro 6 have a lot of issues with dpfs. Theres the wet belt issues with ford's the chain issues with the Peugeots etc. When a newer van goes wrong its having to deal with warranty and a dealer and if you are just outside that and your engine blows it can be 5 grand or whatever.

Even if an older van costs you more in replaced wear an tear items like suspension, brakes etc and maybe a clutch and a starter and bits here and there it will always work out better than the massive depreciation you pay on a new van.

If the new van depreciates 15k over 5 years (it will be more)  thats 3k a year that has to go wrong with the older van. Ive had about 10 or 15 vans and never had anything like that, you could replace the entire engine and gearbox every year for that and still beat the depreciation.

Depends though, I cant remember last time I went to a garage ive done clutches, injectors, cambelts and all the usual servicing stuff on my driveway. Only time I go to a garage is mot time.