When does a van cost to much.
Discussion
I'm thinking about starting up a dog walking business, and thinking about getting either a expert or a dispatch. I don't really want to spend all my cash on one thing. Thou, been talking to a few people, they have said, as a rule of thumb. Once a van is you 6-7 years old they can be some what expensive to maintain.
My housemate only just got rid of his 15 year old Sprinter that had racked up 300k. Aside from the usual Sprinter rust issues, in the 3 years and 100k he had it, it didn't need anything other than basic maintenance - he treated it like absolute s
t too and judging by the condition of it when he first got it, so had the previous owner...
Sadly I can't really offer first hand experience!
t too and judging by the condition of it when he first got it, so had the previous owner...Sadly I can't really offer first hand experience!
Depends on its previous use. I'm a self employed owner driver & use a Sprinter, I buy them at about 3 years, & sell them at 6 or 7, with around 200k on them. I wouldn't touch one with a bargepole if its been had by a parcel company if I'm honest!
On the other hand a good friend of mine is a carpenter, drives a mint 53 plate Vivaro, its done 190k, had a new gear box & clutch, but he got it on 130k quite cheap, so knew the risks, he's had it 7 years now, so its done him well!
I wouldn't really touch Italian stuff, they are cheap for a reason, best choice IMO for your business would be a SWB Transit, latest shape 2006-onwards. Loads about, so you can be picky, easy to fix, cheap parts, and not bad to drive, had a Jumbo on hire last year, & was more punchy than my Sprinter.
On the other hand a good friend of mine is a carpenter, drives a mint 53 plate Vivaro, its done 190k, had a new gear box & clutch, but he got it on 130k quite cheap, so knew the risks, he's had it 7 years now, so its done him well!
I wouldn't really touch Italian stuff, they are cheap for a reason, best choice IMO for your business would be a SWB Transit, latest shape 2006-onwards. Loads about, so you can be picky, easy to fix, cheap parts, and not bad to drive, had a Jumbo on hire last year, & was more punchy than my Sprinter.
Our Sprinter was sort of acquired when the firm I worked for bought another and it came with it. The other firm bought it in 2002 (it's an X.reg) with 250,000 miles on it and shoveled a huge pile of money at it. It's now near 400,000 and has continued to have money shoveled at it. Fuel system, head, recon engine, more fuel issues. It goes like stink, but has cost a small fortune.
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