If you are a business, you might be looking at getting a van, or multiple vans. However, there are so many things to consider, that it can often be difficult to even know where to start.
In this article, we go about looking at van leasing solutions, from where to look for vans and how to finance them.
What van should you get?
Firstly, you will have to have a look at what van, or what vans, you are going to get. You will need to consider what you are going to be using the van for, what size you will need and how many people are going to be transported in the van. A number of our clients need to carry six people but also still have a van, this is called a crew cab.
This is where Google comes in. You can find out everything you need to know about different vans, their lengths, storage capacity and how many people it can carry. There are plenty of reviews online on new and used vans to help you make your decision. There are also plenty of video reviews and you can ask around to see which ones might be best for you and your company.
New vs. Used; Which is best for a van?
You will also have to decide whether you are going to get a new van or a used one. Which one you decide depends on your situation.
For example, you will have to consider how many miles you are going to be doing in your van, whether your van will be customer facing, whether the van will be facing some wear and tear and your financial situation.If your van is going to be suffering from some wear and tear, then it might be best to get a used vehicle that already has some miles on the clock and is already a little bit worn. This might be a better option than getting a brand new vehicle.
However, if the van is going to be customer facing then you might want to get a brand new van. This will look better for company image. Also, if you are going to be doing a high mileage then it might be best to get a brand new van. That said, vans are extremely reliable now, and vans by the likes of Volkswagen and Mercedes can survive mileage of up to 200,000 miles. If you look after your van, keep it maintained and get it serviced, then your van can survive excessively high mileage and you can keep it for much longer than you might keep a car.
Another thing that you have to think about is your financial situation. If you are looking at getting a lot of vans, then you might not want to part with that much cash for a new fleet (more on different ways of buying vans later), so you might want to look at a fleet of used, or nearly-new vans.
Whichever you choose is up to you, it depends on what you are going to be using your van for, whether it is customer facing and your financial situation.
Where would I get a van?
There are many places you can get a van, or a fleet of vans. It depends on what sort of thing you are looking for.
If you are looking at getting a used van or a fleet of used vans, then there are used car and van dealerships that will have a range of vans on offer for you to choose from. These will vary in age, mileage and condition, but you will be able to choose which is best for you.
You can also go through a franchised dealer, though this is probably one of the more expensive options. There are also specialist van brokers such as VanMonster who specialise in pre-registered or mass purchases which allows them to pass on the significant discounts to you.
Then, there are vehicle brokers like ourselves. We have similar terms to the van brokers but we might have a wider selection of finance packages, so there is more flexibility.
Again, it’s down to you and what you are looking for.
How should I finance my van?
There are many options for you when it comes to financing your van. If you are getting a used van, then you can buy it outright using a cash purchase, or you can get it on a finance agreement. This will be a Hire Purchase, and is where you pay a monthly fee for a period of time. Once that time is up, you own the vehicle.
Alternatively, you can look at leasing your van. This will be through either a Finance Lease or a Contract Hire.
A Finance Lease involves paying a monthly fee, with a balloon payment at the end. You can either continue the contract or sell the van for a fee to cover the remaining balloon payment. Watch our video on Finance Lease below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_cxGQzPLZw A Contract Hire is where you pay a fixed fee for a certain amount of time, while sticking to a pre-agreed mileage. Once that time is up, you hand the van back with nothing more to pay. Watch the video on Contract Hire below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZTKPhA-th8 In conclusion, there are many things that you have to consider when you get a van. These include what sort of van you are going to get, how many people it will have to transport and how much storage you will need. You will also have to think about whether you are going to go for a new or used vehicle, if your van is customer facing then you might want to consider a new van. You will also need to think about how you are going to finance your new van and where you are going to get the van from. There are many brokers, dealerships and websites that offer you deals on vans, you just have to choose which one works best for you. Ultimately, it’s down to you what you choose, which van you get, how you go about getting it, but it needs to be appropriate for your situation. Therefore, we do recommend talking to an independent broker so they can help you make a decision that is right for your situation and your company’s situation.
