Does anyone do it here...can anyone explain it to me how it works, wheres best to go etc?
I know very little about it. Thanks in advance
First question we would ask in the trade is why you want to know this.
In general, most small operators who asked about leasing had a poor credit history, ccj's etc. and thought that no credit checks were made with leasing deals and an easy way of getting a new van.
Because credit checks are made, the majority of applications from small businesses, ie., sole traders were rejected, especially when the last 6 months of bank statements didn't tally with their 'healthy' business state indicated on the application form.
Others felt that they could own a van with a very small initial deposit and others where drawn in by the small weekly rental advertised all over the van on the forecourt or both.
I certainly am not inferring that this is the case with you, it was just our general experience.
IMHO vehicle finance in whatever form isn't in your favour, its in the bank/finance house's favour. You will never get something for nothing.
Contract Hire/Leasing deals are primarily put together using the same criteria.
A balloon at the end of the contract is a way of reducing your monthly payments, but it will put pressure on you if you haven't the money saved up to pay it off. This will mean having to take out another loan to cover it. So your new van may end up to be 7 or 8 years old before you finish paying for it. Remember, the older your van is the harder it is to get back to owning a new one again, so we found it best to replace your van every 3 years or slightly earlier if you have a residual payment at the end.
Whilst everyone is different, sole traders don't generally 'warm' to the concept of paying a monthly rental out for a van for 3 or 4 years and at the end of the contract hand it back with nothing to show for it. I don't see the problem to be honest, because its depreciation in a different form.
Personally, I have a van that I own. I don't owe anything on it. If I can't work for some reason, then I don't have a monthly van rental to add to my worries. My van was worth £5000 3 years ago and probably worth £1500 today tops. That's depreciation.