Buying a Leased Van

nelgag

Hi all -new here and just looking for some advice. Considering purchasing a van from a company who sell ex rental/lease vans. Vans available were leased by 1 Company with 1 driver for 3 years and they let them back to leasing company for sale after the 3 years is up. They're supposed to come with full service history,3 months warranty and service within the last 2000 miles. Havent much of a clue about vans/cars and appreciate any tips/info or past experience

garclo

Is it a north gate van? My company use their vans. Same deal, leased for 3 years then we give them back. They are serviced regularly but it depends on who was driving it for the past 3 years. I would consider my van to be immaculate but others in my job don't give a toss about theirs and after 3 years it shows! Its a bit hit and miss as to which one you get. Whoever gets mine will be getting a bargain!

nelgag

Ya - its a northgate van sold by van monster. They seem genuine but I haven't been in to look at any of the vans yet and all I could base it on is appearance to be honest. When ur van going back to them and what type is it. I was looking at Caddy/Partner.

garclo

mines a caddy, not going back til this time next year. in fairness to n/g, they service all our vans on time and fix any problems straight away so the general health of most of the stock shouldn't be too bad. if possible, you should try to find out what company had the van you're interested in because some of them would be hauling pallets all over the country and others(like mine) are only used around Dublin carrying small packages. what year van are you looking at?

nelgag

2010 1.9 tdi. Apex - the fire extinguisher company is where the van was being used from. Thanks again.

Eric Cartman

nelgag wrote: »

2010 1.9 tdi. Apex - the fire extinguisher company is where the van was being used from. Thanks again.

would have been mostly city use then, but fire extinguishers are heavy cargo , just make sure the clutch and tyres are ok and it should be grand.

R.O.R

From experience, some will probably be in great condition, as some driver's have pride in whatever vehicle they have - whether they own it or not, and some will be in crap condition, because some people are just dirty animals.

Have a look at all of them and judge each one on it's individual merits. Should have a full service history available in one form or another. If you're looking at a 1.9Tdi Caddy, I wouldn't be too bothered if it had strayed a little over it's intervals, but if you are looking at a 1.6HDi Partner, I would reject anything that went even slightly over the interval of 20,000km as that engine is very fussy.

Don't expect them to come cheap either. Small vans are in huge demand, mainly because very few were sold in 09/10/11, so they are thin on the ground in the second hand market, and getting very decent money.

nelgag

Vans come with 5/6 months doe still on them and 48 hour time period to return van if not happy. I was thinking of getting van checked/inspected with an assement garage ie motorcheck for €200 or is it necessary when doe is in place and serviced within last 2000 miles. Thanks again for help and apologies for being so particular/green.

R.O.R

nelgag wrote: »

Vans come with 5/6 months doe still on them and 48 hour time period to return van if not happy. I was thinking of getting van checked/inspected with an assement garage ie motorcheck for €200 or is it necessary when doe is in place and serviced within last 2000 miles. Thanks again for help and apologies for being so particular/green.

If you can view the full history, it's had a DOE recently, and looks OK, I wouldn't bother spending on a full history check. Is it possible to take it for a quick test drive? Should be and I'd be suspicious if you couldn't.

garclo

Most north gate vans are imported from England. Not a big deal, just another bit of info. So the speedo will most likely be in old money!

enumbers

I really don't see any difference in buying an ex lease van or a privately owned one around 3-5 years old. you will get cared for and abused in both areas. If someone buys a brand new van on finance over 3 years and knows he changes it every 3 years he doesnt have to give a sh@t because its not going to come out of his pocket if it breaks. The same rule as always applies buy on condition.

nelgag

Thanks to all for ye're help - got sorted so please god there'll be no hassle now