[John Mart]

I finance my vans over 3 years. they cost nearly £18K new inc VAT.  I claimed the £3K VAT back straight away and I pay £495 per month over 36 months interest free and own it at the end of the 3 years

Same here. What vans do you get Kev for £18k.

This time I went for Peugeot Boxer L2 H2 MWB Medium Roof they are a decent spec with Sat Nav, EW, Electric Mirrors, Central Locking with dead bolts, Alarm, Immobiliser, A/C etc.   Last time I had the Transit Custom but they were just too much money this time and Peugeot had the offer on

Yeah, Peugeot are very good value. Just got a Citroen LWB Dispatch for £18k inc Vat. 140kgs payload and ultra modern van with everything in. Customs aren't worth the extra money for day to day although the residuals are better.

[paul alan]

If we put the van price to one side and look at things like servicing costs and maintenance etc, plus any lost time through older van issues does that start to even up the playing field?

[֍Winp®oClean֍]

If we put the van price to one side and look at things like servicing costs and maintenance etc, plus any lost time through older van issues does that start to even up the playing field?

That would depend if servicing is included in the package. You'll still need to pay for general wear and tear, tyres, brakes etc. I suppose the biggest "risk" is the second hand van- you could get one which runs forever without issue or you could get a money pit!! Personally, I have been fortunate with used vans, my current one I have had for nearly Four years and have lost Two days due to maintenance. Also, if you lease a van and hand it back you will have to pay for any "damage" in addition so that's worth considering too.

[Kev Martin]

If we put the van price to one side and look at things like servicing costs and maintenance etc, plus any lost time through older van issues does that start to even up the playing field?

Not so sure about that I paid £23900 for the last Transit Custom and got £15k for it with 32000 miles 3 years old so cost me £8,900 for 38 months.  I see that as £234 per month when you take the VAT out it brings it down to under £195 per month and at less than £6.50 a day.  I can live with that.  The Boxers will have to be worth less than £6K for me to come out of it worse off but I might run these for 4 Years and have a free year.

[dazmond]

If we put the van price to one side and look at things like servicing costs and maintenance etc, plus any lost time through older van issues does that start to even up the playing field?

mines a business finance lease NOT contract hire.no maintenance is included....i do that myself...obviously if the engine blew up it would be covered by the standard 3 year warranty you get on all new vehicles.....

maintenance up to now has been an oil filter change after a year(£80)......

no MOTs either for 3 years.....with my mileage the tyres/brakes will last years before any work needs doing(ive got a good cheap garage thatll do the basics anyway)

the leasing company are not bothered about the condition of the vehicle as its in my interest to look after it to sell it on after the  5 year contract expires and pay the balloon payment of 7k....

after 5 years my van will have around 20,000 miles on the clock and will have years of reliable life left in it so ill probably pay the 7k out of my own savings.

7k for a 5 year old van with 20k on the clock isnt bad.....but i will have paid around 13k already in monthly installments so indeed itll cost me £20k but if the van lasts me 10 years it works out at around £40 a week....(one largish domestic job a week).......