TDW
I changed my car every three years.
I am not sure how long to keep the van, Due to the prepartion work, Ply lining, rubbing the van floor down and then painting it, plus the cost of getting someone to install the tank.I will probably keep my van for five years if it does not give me any problems on the mechanical side.
Its not just the cost in getting a new van ready, what do you do with the van your selling. Do you sell it all as a going concern? and buy all new gear for a new van. If not you then need to employ someone to weld plates over the holes in the van floor, extra expense.
Its one reason to buy new as you maximise more years out of a vans lifespan.
The longer you keep a van if you have bought it new, the less you can claim against tax every year. Its one of the benefits of being selfemployed that the tax man helps offset the costs of a new van.
On a brand new vehicle you are allowed in its first year a 40% first year allowance against tax. So if you buy one before April 5th 2007 you will bve able to make use of the allowance.
I put the full costs of my van against tax and I also put down 50% of my car costs as I use this for collecting and seeing customers.
Nel.