Whether you’re looking to buy a van for the first time or you’ve been driving one for years, it’s always worth taking stock of what your needs are – they can change so often!
We’ve pulled together some things to think about when buying a new or second hand van, some you will be aware of but it’s worth checking before you commit to purchasing.
Mirrors: Visibility in a van can differ vastly from a car, so mirrors are vitally important. If you’re buying second hand, make sure that larger mirrors are secure and not cracked. Also check that when you’re sitting comfortable in the driving seat you can see all necessary angles from the mirrors.
Driving position: Again, visibility can be affected by the position of windscreen pillars and windows. Make sure that when you are seated you can see everything, especially in a larger van. This is important for your safety, your passengers and pedestrians.
Seat belts: If you’re going to be on the road a lot, your van needs to be safe and seatbelts should be one of the first things you check. They should be tight enough when they are on, but should spring back into position when taken off. Look for signs of damage to seats and seatbelts before you buy second hand.
Warning lights: Make sure there aren’t any warning lights switched on, but also make sure that everything on the dashboard is working – indicators, hazard lights, headlights, brake lights.
Windscreen wipers: For safety reasons, the vehicle should always have good windscreen wipers and be filled with windscreen cleaner, which again keeps visibility as high as possible. You can get new wipers easily, but make sure they are good enough to begin with and you’ll save an expense.
Tyres: Again, this is something you could change, but they should be road worthy when you buy the van and the rims should be in good condition. If this is not the case, insist that tyres are changed before you purchase and drive away.
If you’re not sure what warning signs you should be looking for, it might be a good idea to get the opinion of a mechanic before you buy. There could always be things you hadn’t thought to check or questions you hadn’t thought to ask.
When you’re buying second hand, don’t forget that a van could have had very heavy use for commercial purposes, so having a check over the interior and exterior of the van will help you to spot any obvious issues.
Once you’ve bought your van, make sure you talk to us about van insurance. Britton Insurance are specialists in van insurance, with easy and affordable options. We’ll make sure you get the benefits you need for your circumstances.
Let us take care of your van insurance so that you can take care of your business!