[PoleKing]

OP. I wouldn't ever buy a used reach & wash van.
It's gonna have worked the hardest carrying weight, probably, every day of its life.

My advice would be to buy a good used van preferably a florists or polystyrene bean deliverer. Summat light either way!
And stick your own system in.

[Spruce]

 


Thanks hasti and Darran, although I have read plenty of helpful advise from Darran as well.

I will certainly be buying microbore hose next time around to lighten my hose reel - good advice from Darran who has first hand knowledge of the difference. (When smaller diamt hose first made its appearance, Williamson pumps refused guarantee on any Shurflo pumps used on systems that weren't using 1/2" hose. For this reason I have always stuck with minibore and never tried microbore.)

This is one thing about the forum - the experience of some of its members is something you can't buy.

Anyway, back to vans;

Good vans are about but they usually get snapped up privately before they get advertised, especially the older ones. The ones that make it to dealerships are usually overpriced but if they get you a couple of years service then they have paid for themselves.

[Spruce]

OP. I wouldn't ever buy a used reach & wash van.
It's gonna have worked the hardest carrying weight, probably overweight every morning, every day of its life.

My advice would be to buy a good used van preferably a florists or polystyrene bean deliverer. Summat light either way!
And stick your own system in.

^^^ I agree. Most wfp converted vans for sale also have mega miles. I have seen many over the years that were probably builder's vans before they were bought and converted.

One also has to be careful as vans would most probably be lite carrying spec. The polystyrene carriers would get the biggest volume van with the lowest payload - ie Transit T260, Relay 900 etc which aren't much good for wfp.

[Clever Forum Name]

OP. I wouldn't ever buy a used reach & wash van.
It's gonna have worked the hardest carrying weight, probably, every day of its life.

My advice would be to buy a good used van preferably a florists or polystyrene bean deliverer. Summat light either way!
And stick your own system in.

Love it 

[hasti]

Thanks hasti and Darran, although I have read plenty of helpful advise from Darran as well.

I will certainly be buying microbore hose next time around to lighten my hose reel - good advice from Darran who has first hand knowledge of the difference. (When smaller diamt hose first made its appearance, Williamson pumps refused guarantee on any Shurflo pumps used on systems that weren't using 1/2" hose. For this reason I have always stuck with minibore and never tried microbore.)

This is one thing about the forum - the experience of some of its members is something you can't buy.

Anyway, back to vans;

Good vans are about but they usually get snapped up privately before they get advertised, especially the older ones. The ones that make it to dealerships are usually overpriced but if they get you a couple of years service then they have paid for themselves.

You welcome mate 

[Amazin]

You know Spruce

You are one hell of a guy and some one to be proud of on this forum

Yes definately, I'm a member of few other forums and each one of them has few very helpful memebers. It is them that keep the forum alive and positive.

or this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NO-VAT-CITROEN-RELAY-2-0HDI-1100-ENTERPRISE-2005-ONLY-58K-VERY-CLEAN-VAN-/231479012400?&_trksid=p2056016.l4276

looks great but bit too far . I just got my driver's license so I wouldn't feel comfortable driving the van back to East london. Personally, my budget is £3000-£3500 and I wouldn't want anything less than that. Safety first.

http://www.gumtree.com/p/vans/ford-transit-2006-white-swb-low-roof-2.2-1-year-full-mot/1100345461 

just saw that on gumtree, seriously? Its nearly 10 years old with 140,000 milage and he still want nearly £3000!

http://www.gumtree.com/p/vans/renault-trafic-sl29-dci-115/1100086320

that looks alright. If I remember correctly, I think someone on here said Toyota vans are the best or something like that. Let me know if there's a particular brand I should stick to.

Again, thanks Spruce, more than happy to buy you a beer

[Smudger]

I'm afraid that's what some vans command, although I feel these are overpriced, still be prepared for toyota hi ace prices... £2500 210k on the clock 1998   

Just be mindful that a big van is a nice to have NOT a must have, a mid size van will be easier to park in London and what about the emissions for older vans ?

Darran

[Spruce]

You know Spruce

You are one hell of a guy and some one to be proud of on this forum

Yes definately, I'm a member of few other forums and each one of them has few very helpful memebers. It is them that keep the forum alive and positive.

or this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NO-VAT-CITROEN-RELAY-2-0HDI-1100-ENTERPRISE-2005-ONLY-58K-VERY-CLEAN-VAN-/231479012400?&_trksid=p2056016.l4276

looks great but bit too far . I just got my driver's license so I wouldn't feel comfortable driving the van back to East london. Personally, my budget is £3000-£3500 and I wouldn't want anything less than that. Safety first.

http://www.gumtree.com/p/vans/ford-transit-2006-white-swb-low-roof-2.2-1-year-full-mot/1100345461 

just saw that on gumtree, seriously? Its nearly 10 years old with 140,000 milage and he still want nearly £3000!

http://www.gumtree.com/p/vans/renault-trafic-sl29-dci-115/1100086320

that looks alright. If I remember correctly, I think someone on here said Toyota vans are the best or something like that. Let me know if there's a particular brand I should stick to.

Again, thanks Spruce, more than happy to buy you a beer

It might be an idea to find out what insurance is going to cost you being a new driver.

[Amazin]

It might be an idea to find out what insurance is going to cost you being a new driver.

I can't really do that without know exactly which van I'm gona get. I contacted A-plan insurance and they told me to phone them when I buy the vechicle

a mid size van will be easier to park in London and what about the emissions for older vans ?

Yeah true but i don't want a van thats too small because i need to install a big water tank inside.

Quick question: is it ok if I register with HMRC for road tax after I drive the van back to my place? when I went to their website to apply, they asking me details about the vechicle which I don't yet have

 

[advanced]

do not buy  vivaro ,primastar  any of them , they are a pile of junk
mine with only 20 k  on clock been off road one week and they still cant find fault !!!!!!!!!!!

[wpclean]

do not buy  vivaro ,primastar  any of them , they are a pile of junk
mine with only 20 k  on clock been off road one week and they still cant find fault !!!!!!!!!!!

Find a proper mechanic 

[Spruce]

It might be an idea to find out what insurance is going to cost you being a new driver.

I can't really do that without know exactly which van I'm gona get. I contacted A-plan insurance and they told me to phone them when I buy the vechicle

a mid size van will be easier to park in London and what about the emissions for older vans ?

Yeah true but i don't want a van thats too small because i need to install a big water tank inside.

Quick question: is it ok if I register with HMRC for road tax after I drive the van back to my place? when I went to their website to apply, they asking me details about the vechicle which I don't yet have

 

No, you will be breaking the new law.

You will have to get a licence before you drive it.

This will create a problem for private buyers as they will need to have insurance in place as well and that insurance will need to be recorded with the DVLA. At one time it was not an immediate transaction.

Has anyway bought a vehicle privately since the law changed and how did you handle it.

The way I see it is that if you tax a vehicle before the seller advises that he has sold the vehicle, it could happen that the seller is then refunded with the RFL that you have just purchased when he eventually does advise the DVLA of his sale. I would be concerned with this.

[Matt.]

I took a trafic site van off renault last year, 60 plate 30000 on clock £5200 + vat. I haven't had 1 problem yet fingers crossed.

I have been getting my vans from renault for last 15 year, started off with a few Clio vans absolutely brilliant little vans but out grew them and ventured into the kangoo's, again great vans but needed bigger

Trafic van is now the size for me, 500L tank up the top of van, shelf on side of tank with Merlin in, small double di bottles riveted to bulk head and pure in tank, still have 11L di on way to hose as emergency. Have enough room to fit a sealey 37L tank above 500L for chemical delivery. Hose reel on roof so still plenty of room for pressure washer, trad swag and still room to fit gutter vac in when I pick one up.

Perfect for me.

If you don't need a van this size look at scudo or kangoo sized van, will be cheaper on fuel and insurance.

[Spruce]

It might be an idea to find out what insurance is going to cost you being a new driver.

I can't really do that without know exactly which van I'm gona get. I contacted A-plan insurance and they told me to phone them when I buy the vechicle

a mid size van will be easier to park in London and what about the emissions for older vans ?

Yeah true but i don't want a van thats too small because i need to install a big water tank inside.

Quick question: is it ok if I register with HMRC for road tax after I drive the van back to my place? when I went to their website to apply, they asking me details about the vechicle which I don't yet have

 

No, you will be breaking the new law.

You will have to get a licence before you drive it.

This will create a problem for private buyers as they will need to have insurance in place as well and that insurance will need to be recorded with the DVLA. At one time it was not an immediate transaction.

Has anyway bought a vehicle privately since the law changed and how did you handle it.

The way I see it is that if you tax a vehicle before the seller advises that he has sold the vehicle, it could happen that the seller is then refunded with the RFL that you have just purchased when he eventually does advise the DVLA of his sale. I would be concerned with this.

OK. I've just found this on the DVLA website.

Buying a vehicle

From 1 October, when you buy a vehicle, the vehicle tax will no longer be transferred with the vehicle. You will need to get new vehicle tax before you can use the vehicle.

You can tax the vehicle using either the:

    11 digit reference number from your log book (V5C) – if the vehicle is registered in your name

    12 digit reference number on your New Keeper Supplement (V5C/2) if you’ve just bought the vehicle or the vehicle is not registered in your name

You can tax online or by using our automated phone service - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 0300 123 4321.

Alternatively, you may wish to visit a Post Office® branch.

DVLA are unable to check the vehicle insurance details for new keepers in Northern Ireland online or by phone. If you’re a Northern Ireland new keeper, you will need to tax at a Post Office® branch that deals with vehicle tax.

It is a legal requirement for all UK drivers to have motor insurance in place before using a vehicle on a public road.



Not sure what the Post Office now need to tax a vehicle with regard to Insurance documents. I've always done it online, but at one time they would only accept the original insurance certificate and not copies or printed copies from your own printer. i don't know if that changed or not.

Anyone got any experience under the new system regarding taxing and insuring a vehicle at the point of collection.

[Smudger]

Your printed copy is now ok as many companies are now online only.

Last van I brought I had to walk to the po ( 100 yards from seller ) and hand in insurance plus the new reg keeper slip.  Was given a receipt and that was it

Darran

[Spruce]

Your printed copy is now ok as many companies are now online only.

Last van I brought I had to walk to the po ( 100 yards from seller ) and hand in insurance plus the new reg keeper slip.  Was given a receipt and that was it

Darran

Thanks Darran.

[Amazin]

No, you will be breaking the new law.

You will have to get a licence before you drive it.

This will create a problem for private buyers as they will need to have insurance in place as well and that insurance will need to be recorded with the DVLA. At one time it was not an immediate transaction.

again thanks for the valuable info Spruce so I will need to have both the insurance and road tax sorted before anything right?
Does that mean I can't expect myself to go there and pick it up on the same day?

1 digit reference number from your log book (V5C) – if the vehicle is registered in your name

    12 digit reference number on your New Keeper Supplement (V5C/2) if you’ve just bought the vehicle or the vehicle is not registered in your name

You can tax online or by using our automated phone service - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 0300 123 4321.

So I'm assuming that once I do the above, it will come into effect immediately?

well, I supposed I can always pay for the van first after examine it carefully then pick it up after I sort everything out. Unless there's a way to do everything on the same day.

Seriosuly, they are making this whole process more complicated it needs to be. Mostly to raise more money...

[CleanClear]

again thanks for the valuable info Spruce so I will need to have both the insurance and road tax sorted before anything right?
Does that mean I can't expect myself to go there and pick it up on the same day?

Its hard to believe that anyone who can drive does not know this, its pretty basic stuff . It also gives a clue as to what you do and don't know. If you don't know this basic stuff then god knows what going to happen if and when you get going.

Seriosuly, they are making this whole process more complicated it needs to be. Mostly to raise more money...

Who is making it more complicated ? Go buy a van..........

And do your homework and research a bit yourself, probably like most of us have done. Check ouit the price of (for example) a 56 plate Vivaro...with a system, then check out the price without one........... Then price a system..........if you aint got this aptitude you're gonna struggle buddy. How are you going to price a job when you can't even buy and insure a van ?

The process is very easy, i know this  because i can do it, so thats a measure!!!

I predict it being fun if you buy one without a system. Don't worry there's loads of guys here to help you with that !! You can spend the spring in the back of your new van with a toolkit, some parts and an ipad trying to figure it all out....

[advanced]

Don't say I did not warn all you traffic ,vivaro, primastar owners  , check out  the forums  , they are a ticking timebombe  of unreliability .

[Smudger]

Won't have a word said against my Vivaro, well not while I'm selling it !!!

Bit harsh cc, true, but a little harsh...

Darran