[The Jester of Wibbly]

It's time for me to start thinking about changing my van.  No rush as my plan is to make a decision in the next year or two.

My last van was bought outright new 9 years ago for a third of the cost today.

But with van prices so high and EV predictions for upcoming years will see better solutions, decisions need to be made and more regularly.

Would you now buy outright, lease or just plug away at maintaining your old van? 

Leasing seems the way forward now changing it every 3 to 5 years.     

So what would you do for yourself?

[dd]

If you think the van is decent and are happy with it I would just keep it. I have owned my van from new and it is 18 in Feb. I have thought about changing it for most of the last 10 years but glad I kept it and plan to keep it now until I retire (18 months to 3 years)

[zesty]

I’m maintaining my 63 plate transit custom.

It’s been bullet proof. I’ve been so so tempted to get a newer custom, but my van isn’t worth much now, maybe only 6-7k. So it’s actually far more financially feasible to keep it.

If I were to get a newer custom, I’m looking at £25,000 plus VAT for a 3 year old one at the minimum.

All I’m going to gain is a lighter bank account.

Doesn’t make any sense, my van is still going strong. No need to change it at all!

Comes back to wants and needs…

[KS Cleaning]

I was considering a new van too. I actually put a deposit down on one but asked for my deposit back as the van was due into stock the week before Christmas but it still isn’t in and  I was within the 14 day cooling off period. I still haven’t totally ruled it out but I’m now leaning towards keeping the van I’ve got, it’s 4 and a half years old with only 16k miles on it.
New van prices have been high since COVID, the worry is that with the current high prices there is likely to be more depreciation. Used van prices have softened slightly but with the high interest rates attached to used vans, it makes buying a nearly new van less appealing unless you can buy it without finance.
Leasing  a new van will probably be more appealing if you don’t have much of a deposit in way of a trade in, this will keep monthly payments lower, although you will have a balloon payment at the end of the term. You should also be aware of the total cost of the van and not just if the monthly payments are affordable.
If you have a sizeable deposit and the price to change isn’t as heavy, buying outright would be the better option IMO.
The tax and NI savings on buying a van are also a consideration.
At the end of the day everyone’s circumstances are different, some people like driving about in new shiny motors with hopefully trouble free motoring and the piece of mind of a warranty, whilst some prefer to be more frugal and don’t mind running older vehicles which will require a bit more maintenance.

[zesty]

KS, with such low mileage and a van that’s relatively new, there really isn’t any reason to get a newer one, surley?

[Stoots]

Only reason to get a new one is because you want one.

Which isn't a bad reason but I think you are looking for a way to justify it to yourself so you don't feel guilty. I think we all do that 

[KS Cleaning]

KS, with such low mileage and a van that’s relatively new, there really isn’t any reason to get a newer one, surley?

You are right, I wish my brain would drum this into me! I think when you get a large tax bill you look at ways of reducing it. But of course spending money just for the sake of it is a bit of a false economy.

[AuRavelling79]

Mine will be 13 years old in March. On 73,000 miles.

Had a prang in June and got 7.25k payout. Bought the salvage and put it back on the road for about 3.5k.

Reproofed the back floor and had resprayed some previous scuffs.

To replace with new similar - well north of 25k.

No thanks.

Hope this will see me out over the next 3 - 5 years.

[DJW]

Mine has lasted 18 years, spent about £300 on maintenance above the normal servicing and tyres.
Going to retire in 2024 I think, so it’s done well.

[NBwcs]

Mine has lasted 18 years, spent about £300 on maintenance above the normal servicing and tyres.
Going to retire in 2024 I think, so it’s done well.

Its done more than well, what van do you have?

[DJW]

Toyota Hiace just under 70k now.
Had new ignition lock and key this year and a new fuel filter housing.
Drop links about five years ago. Nothing else I can think of.
Oh yes, two brakelight bulbs.

[Splash & dash]

Toyota Hiace just under 70k now.
Had new ignition lock and key this year and a new fuel filter housing.
Drop links about five years ago. Nothing else I can think of.
Oh yes, two brakelight bulbs.

They are good vans pity the modern ones aren’t as reliable,I have a jap import Toyota granvia it’s 1999 model I have had it 15 years and apart from normal servicing and tyres cannot remember doing anything else to it it’s absolutely bulletproof , it’s not used for work though .

[Jay Le Huray]

Mine has lasted 18 years, spent about £300 on maintenance above the normal servicing and tyres.
Going to retire in 2024 I think, so it’s done well.

18 years WOW that's really good for a van

[dazmond]

If your just using your van for work and don't do a lot of miles I don't see why a new van shouldn't last you at least 15 years with regular servicing.

If your using yours as your only vehicle and do 10000+ a year I can understand  you changing every 5 years or so....

Mines 7 years old in Jan with 21000 miles on the clock.i fully expect to get at least another 7 years out of it before I even think about buying another one.

Ideally I would buy another diesel van and get a new diesel heater fitted at the same time but if I'm forced to buy electric then I would have to think of another way to heat my water.

[robbo333]

Everybody's situations are different, both financially and personally, so you have to do what best suits your circumstances.
For me, I would keep it for two reasons:
1. My round is very compact; some days I get to my first job and my van isn't even warm! I then clean a couple and move the van (1 or 2 minutes) and repeat the process throughout the day. That is no way to treat a van! If I had a new van I would simply ruin it! Yes I can do a long run at the weekend...but I don't!
2. I have an old Toyota Hiace and it's never let me down. It drives like a tractor, doesn't stop well, certainly doesn't go well, power steering, not sure if it even has it and it sounds worse than an old London taxi and don't get me started on mpg!
But I love it.
If you gave me £20K for another van, I'd get a bit of bodywork done on the old girl and spend the other 19K on some motorbikes.

[dazmond]

I would never buy an old second hand van now.theyve all been battered and abused.its much better to buy new and look after it IMO and keep it for many years (esp if you want a diesel heater installed).

No fannying about swapping systems every few years and many years of trouble free motoring.

I've only serviced mine once a year and 2 new front tyres in 7 years. I'm still on the original brake pads!

[matthewprice]

Personally I am looking at a nearly new petrol small van .  New diesel’s won’t work for me anymore . Most days lucky if I do 5 miles . . And probably 10 years max till I retire .

[Stoots]

I would never buy an old second hand van now.theyve all been battered and abused.its much better to buy new and look after it IMO and keep it for many years (esp if you want a diesel heater installed).

No fannying about swapping systems every few years and many years of trouble free motoring.

I've only serviced mine once a year and 2 new front tyres in 7 years. I'm still on the original brake pads!

That' mad mines only 18 months old and the front tyres are both close to needing new ones.

[Smudger]

You got a relay though…

[johnny bravo]

just put the money away monthly what you would be paying for a new van.   If the one you have now dies  you will have a heads start  to get your new van        Less initial outlay       you may have a few years yet if keeping your old van now