Theres nothing wrong with buying a new van if you want one as long as you are aware its a nice luxury that you dont mind paying for its no different to going on 5 star hotels or buying designer clothes.

What ive found though is that new van feeling wears off within a few months, the excitement and novelty goes and its just ends up getting knocked about and neglected, its a work van end of the day.

I lost 16k inc the vat i couldnt claim in 3 years on a the last van i bought, thats madness really, soon got bored of the £500 a month going out to finance payments.

I hope i never get the urge again to buy a new one because it can be very tempting.

Personally I would never consider a brand new van, which ever method of purchase was available. I look at ex BT vans when the time comes, very well looked after and way cheaper.

I would consider brand new if I planned on running it in to the ground ten to fifteen years later.

If I needed to buy with less than 5 anticipated years working life left in me I would buy something about 5 years old that seemed in good nick for its age.

If I wanted to keep up to date (I wouldn't) I would buy at 2 years old and sell at 5.

Personally I would never consider a brand new van, which ever method of purchase was available. I look at ex BT vans when the time comes, very well looked after and way cheaper.

I paid cash for my iload brand new in 2012 for £16,500.

In 2023 I got £6250 from a no fault accident payout and kept the salvage and got it repaired.

It's a Cat S worth low £1000's I guess.

Only being on 86,000 miles means it should see me out.

My son-in-law had 17 plate Transit Custom from about 2022. Unfortunately it has had issue after issue ending with a dead engine.

He bought a '10 plate iload to tide him over. I went with him to look at it as it's pretty much the same as mine. He got it on 212,000 miles for £1800!

He had the cam chain changed immediately and it's running like a good 'un.

The previous owner had it for five years as he rescues dogs. We went to his small terrace house to pay for the van - and had to negotiate seven - yes seven massive huskies in great condition!

Really depends on how long your planning on keeping it for. If you plan to keep it 6 years plus. Then the best and cheapest option is buying it outright.

If you plan on changing it every 3 or 4 years then leasing is your best option.