[Crystal-clear]

Been breaking down my van maintenance costs and the costs are quite alarming to be honest here's a basic breakdown that makes me really wonder if leasing is actually more viable then buying obviously if you can lease with a system for a similar price to a company that charges to lease a van it's a no brainer

Van £2500
3 mots £1000
4 breakdowns £1000
Time between van 5 days off
4 breakdowns 10 days off
3 mots 10 days off
Exchanging system over £300
That's £4800 ÷ 3 years £133 a month this alone is a genuine expense which looks like a genuine £80 better off on money now we add up the 25 working days and it's actually a no brainer....

I just realised this to be honest with you when daz was talking about his leasing vehicle I thought £200 a month I guess that's a little bit steep but then I actually looked at what I spent and then when you add up like I say the loss of work....
It looks like leasing is the way to go especially if you're doing low mileage what do you guys think about this that is my genuine calculation... and do you lot know any good water fed pole leasing companies obviously I would prefer to contact those first
Oh I forgot to add in little things like batteries tyres small repairs little niggling things that take 1/2 day off work over the course of 3 years even things like door not opening going to garage taking 2 hours off your day you know where I'm coming from then you have also the water fed pole issues pump not working again a company will make sure they have brand new equipment

[John Mart]

Grippa do.

[Crystal-clear]

Grippa do.

I wonder how much they charge I wonder what the pitfalls are and if there are any hidden costs or balloon payments that need to be made

[p1w1]

having a lease that includes repairs etc will be even more expensive and lease or own you will still have down time for mot's and breakdowns.

[Crystal-clear]

having a lease that includes repairs etc will be even more expensive and lease or own you will still have down time for mot's and breakdowns.

Yes but a brand new vehicle mate is extremely extremely unlikely you know the first 3 years don't you think

[Crystal-clear]

having a lease that includes repairs etc will be even more expensive and lease or own you will still have down time for mot's and breakdowns.

Yes but a brand new vehicle mate is extremely extremely unlikely you know the first 3 years don't you think

Also surely you'll have manufacturer's warranty

[andyM]

I reckon you need to decide if it's the inconvenience of a second hand van breaking down and possibly being unreliable that's your main concern or expense.
Because given the figures of the expenses you've incurred over 3 years it's still cheaper than leasing a new vehicle for 3 years.

A new vehicle will give you piece of mind but will come at a financial cost.

[Nick Day]

You will be amazed at what is not guaranteed. Basically everything that goes fxxxxxx  wrong!!

[Crystal-clear]

hmm ok things to consider. but yes its still cheaper with those figures but not with the downtime work wise by the way its friday but one of those 4 breakdowns is today which is the biggest one £500 so ofcourse im starting to think
if things aint covered and you get balloon payments then ,,,

[Smudger]

Much depends on your second hand van ? £2500 doesn’t usually get you a lot so buying at this price is a gamble

You can ( like the FIL ) buy a tidy 2003 dispatch -  1 owner 60k miles £850 he’s had it 6 years and only put on new tyres and an exhaust

Or get a pig in a poke that drains your wallet on a regular basis

New you would hope is better but there are still cases where something breaks and you may/may not pay for that but the vehicle seems to be off the road for weeks while some one decides who’s paying.

Darran

[Phil J]

Window Cleaning Warehouse do a lease package.

[Kev Martin]

You would be better to spend more on a better van and put a warranty on it. 

[Crystal-clear]

cheers lots of things to consider my van by the way was worth around £4000 on a private sale and around 5k trade at the time 5 years ago i was very lucky to buy it privately from a person who didnt know the difference between the 200 and the 230 he priced it up as a 200 and i snapped it up within 1 day of it being listed    its still worth around 2.5k privately now ofcourse after this repair even with the mileage i put on and 5 years on well actually got it start of 2014 so coming on 5 years just checked so my calculations a bit more in my favor with that info
anyhow looking into doblos now mate thinking of owning a second van for times like this may just motivate me to work harder too
that wcwh thing could be worth a look into tho.

[Scrimble]

buy brand new, old vans are a waste of money, they cost more in down time and repairs than a brand new van

2.5k is only going to get you an old knacker

buy brand new, dont rent

[dazmond]

every old van ive ever had has been battered,breakdowns,MOTS,torsion suspension bars snapping(ironically BEFORE i even put  any weight in the back),oil pump breaking and seizing engine....the list goes on and on.....

it wasnt too bad when i was trad but with WFP you need a decent van when your carrying half a ton of water around every day IMO.....esp if you want to fit a decent system in the back and not be changing it every few years.....

even with all the hassle,downtime with old vans etc  im still paying more for my new van BUT without the hassle....

BUT IM EARNING A LOT MORE THAN I USED TOO........in fact over £25,000 MORE a year than i was when i started WFP.

I upped some prices to cover my monthly van rental too....and with my ultra low mileage i should get years and years of trouble free motoring out of my van....

NO MOTS for 3 years and i shouldnt get any breakdowns either...(touch wood)......


i lease my car too from the same company but thats on a different contract(personal contract hire NOT business finance lease).ill hand it back after 3 years and get another brand new one.vehicle excise duty IS included in my monthly payments for my car BUT  NOT FOR MY VAN....i also have to pay VAT on my tax on my van which i didnt know about beforehand.....

[Dazzler3370]

One thing to bear in mind to all those who read my post about me handing my lease van back. It was a nightmare for me anyway. You need to factor in that cost in your budget if you are planning to lease. I had a bill for over £500 after a 4 year lease. You might think thats not a large bill for 4 years of using a van 5 days a week.
My van had been in the garage to have any dents and scratches repaired and polished was handed back in what I would call immaculate condition. I Have OCD
The guy who even collected it said that he said it was a credit to me for keeping it in such good condition and that he didn't think that I would get a bill. Just one to bear in mind....!!!

[johnwillan]

Been breaking down my van maintenance costs and the costs are quite alarming to be honest here's a basic breakdown that makes me really wonder if leasing is actually more viable then buying obviously if you can lease with a system for a similar price to a company that charges to lease a van it's a no brainer

Van £2500
3 mots £1000
4 breakdowns £1000
Time between van 5 days off
4 breakdowns 10 days off
3 mots 10 days off
Exchanging system over £300
That's £4800 ÷ 3 years £133 a month this alone is a genuine expense which looks like a genuine £80 better off on money now we add up the 25 working days and it's actually a no brainer....

I just realised this to be honest with you when daz was talking about his leasing vehicle I thought £200 a month I guess that's a little bit steep but then I actually looked at what I spent and then when you add up like I say the loss of work....
It looks like leasing is the way to go especially if you're doing low mileage what do you guys think about this that is my genuine calculation... and do you lot know any good water fed pole leasing companies obviously I would prefer to contact those first
Oh I forgot to add in little things like batteries tyres small repairs little niggling things that take 1/2 day off work over the course of 3 years even things like door not opening going to garage taking 2 hours off your day you know where I'm coming from then you have also the water fed pole issues pump not working again a company will make sure they have brand new equipment

We buy (HP) brand new Connects with 500L Grippatank Hot Water systems, financed over 5 years using Lombard, we part exchange van and upgrade systems every 5 years. A couple of phone calls to organise, fully equipped sign written van arrives a few weeks later - happy days 😊