[Jon-scwindows]

I am in need of a van, something like a vauxhall vivaro 1.9  or something so i can carry more water etc... but i was wondering - if i lease a van will i be alowed to alter it, for example bolting or welding the floor/ to the chassis to hold secure the water tank? or are you only allowed to 'carry' stuff in the leased vans

I want to lease rather than buy straight off, but will the leasing companies allow you to weld/ or bolt to inside the back for the tank? Strapping it down is out of the question as it would be about 400-650 litres maybe so it must be in a metal frame. Also a couple floor mounted hose reels - theyd have to be bolted down to the floor.

Ive heard of a few companies that will fit the tanks properly in the steel cage welded or bolted to the chassis, but i dont know whether your allowed.

Also when leasing the van, how long can you lease it for? or is it a certain amount of years and then you gain ownership?

I dont know much about leasing, but need to get the van in the next month or two.

Thanks

[NWH]

I spoke to Renault and the women there said the alterations that WFP entail would be ok,but i would check as the small print might say otherwise,they`ll do anything to get you to sign on the dotted line.

[Jon-scwindows]

oh right  - i also thought i would want to waterproof the wooden floor and around the wheel arches on the inside, with that 'stuff'. This would be kindof permanant i guess and a bit more noticeable than a few welds or bolt holes.
Does anyone else lease a van, with wfp alterations?

[NWH]

If it`s on lease don`t bother with doing the floor,just get them to ply line it all in the cost most come ply lined.

[Jon-scwindows]

i assumed they allready come plylined, but would have thought this wouldnt be much good as the ply would soak up all the water than i spill or drips from poles, or leakes from hoses, theres allways water getting on the floor, and if its ply wood floor its going to go wrotten ....  i get this in the vehicle im using now, it leaks and runs underneather floor panel, then pools where the spare tyre is.

So they wouldnt let me cover the floors waterproof like the speedliner floors from stream?
http://www.waterfedpolesystems.co.uk/index.html

[Spruce]

Hi,
You will be able to do as you need to with the van, provided it is done professionally and that you return it to the original when the lease is up.
I would carefully remove the ply floor, 'store' it and protecta coat the floor as normal.

When you are finished the lease (3 - 4 years) then remove your tank and accessories, plug the holes with grommets and put the ply floor back. What ever you do make sure that the correct size screws go back to secure the floor. It's easy to use screws that are too long and these could pierce the fuel tank or pipe lines.

Depending on the lease, you maybe able to take an additional extension of a year (peppercorn rental) that will cost approx one monthly rental for the whole year. But remember that you can never become the legal owner of a lease van - UK accounting law says so. So the van can never be registered in your name - useless for future tax returns.

You must ensure that the van is properly insured and that the insurance company is aware of the secured tank.
I still think that in this business it is better to buy on HP.
You can get finance deals that allow a small deposit rather than all the VAT + 10% as it used to be.

Nowdays the dealers can use the any cashbacks etc, the manufacturers offer  to use toward your deposit rather than to reduce the price of the van - ie Citroen is good at this.
I would also suggest you also negotiate your own finance deal before you sign up so you are not at the mercy of a high finance APR. It gives you a bargaining chip.

I would also suggest that you keep you finance period to about 3 max 4 years. 3 is preferable. Try to stay away from low finance repayments and a final large payment at the end of your contract - these can spell disaster if not managed correctly. Just remember how 'easy' it is to pay your tax in a lump sum at the end of the year.

Remember that a van on HP is registered in your name straight away.

Hope this helps

Spruce

(some people try to lease a van if they have a poor credit record thinking this is a way round a credit check. I am afraid it doesn't work that way - and I am not saying that this applies to you in any way; it was just my experience in the commercial sector for many years).

[Jon-scwindows]

Thanks for your comments, you refered to HP? what is this?

thanks again

[Londoner]

I have just ordered a new van having returned a leased vehicle on 6th December. Check out the deals being offered by the main agents on new vans ( as opposed to the published list prices).
I got £3,800 "fleet" discount even though I was buying only one van. This made it cheaper to buy a new van than to lease a van or buy an import from Vans Direct.

With lease vans ( or imports) you cannot often get your choice of extras and even the choice of colours is limited. If you buy its yours and you can do what you like with it, there is no small print to worry about.

[Spruce]

Thanks for your comments, you refered to HP? what is this?

thanks again

Hi
HP = Hire Purchase. It's the standard form of buying a vehicle on finance. It is registered in your name from day one and becomes yours once the final payment is made.

I have just ordered a new van having returned a leased vehicle on 6th December. Check out the deals being offered by the main agents on new vans ( as opposed to the published list prices).
I got £3,800 "fleet" discount even though I was buying only one van. This made it cheaper to buy a new van than to lease a van or buy an import from Vans Direct.

With lease vans ( or imports) you cannot often get your choice of extras and even the choice of colours is limited. If you buy its yours and you can do what you like with it, there is no small print to worry about.

I agree wholeheartedly with Vince's comments and it's the way I would go - but in the end you must do what's right for you as each one of us has a different perspective.

Spruce