Van running cost's

[Diamond Pool Finishers]

Most of us run a van for work, how do you firstly buy your van ? lease? HP? outright ? you share the cost with say your partner ? just how !.
Secondly, how much does it cost you in fuel ? week ? year? .
How much insurance ?.
And how much in parts/repair on average per year ?.
We may all learn a trick or two here

 

[Jeff the tiler]

Lease my van on a 2 year contract. Do circa 20,000 miles over this period. First service not due until 20K so works out pretty trouble free motoring. The only problem not VAT registered so lose out there. Costs me circa £300 a month to run including everything apart from fuel with no scary bills.

 

[Andy Allen]

im sat at home waiting for a call today as my vans gone in for an mot, will be surprised if it passes as its on its last legs, so ive been looking on line for possible replacments, but it seems a bit of a minefield what to go for, ive got some money set aside, i prefer to buy it out right then its all sorted, just dont want to end up buying a pile of rubbish..

 

[peteablard]

I prefer to buy outright, one less thing to worry about if you have a quiet month! I average about 30-40k miles a year, I've never actually sat down and added up the receipts, think I'd cry! I just make sure each job I do covers the fuel.

 

[Bubblecraft]

No split costs as company is mine as a sole trader.

Bought my van out right so no over heads there.

Costs in fuel are about £80 to £100 per week.

Costs for insurance is £53 per month.

Costs for repair vary. Last year needed new springs, tyres, discs, pads, wheel bearings & some other bits n bobs. Prob about £1200 all in but I fit them all myself so not fitting costs. Then theres Tax, MOT, Service parts etc. So far this year I've forked out about £200 on a new drive belt, pulley wheel & some smaller things. MOT & service next few weeks!

 

[EverDon Tiling]

I just got a very good deal on a 2007 astra van off one of my costomers for £1600 low mileage and its mint over 3 grand on flebay well chuffed.

 

[John Benton]

Bought van outright, do about 10-12k miles a year, don't like to travel far. Insurance paid outright £430, Service every 20k or 2 years. Just had MOT and needed new track rod end, £22.

 

[PaulSmith]

Van bought out right normally, but just had turbo and head gasket, not cheap.

 

[Andy Allen]

well it passed the test, needed breaks doing and a few other bits and pieces, cost me £250 but it gives me another year to save up a bit more for another van..

wifes cars being mot tomorrow, fingers crossed with that one....hate this time of year, everything comes at once mot's, tax , insurence...

 

[Rookery]

I buy outright. I dont like the idea of shelling out X pounds a month on a lease only to find that at the end I still dont own the bloody thing. At least on HP its got some residual value.

 

[JJS1410]

Whilst a relative newbie to the forum and industry, I have previously worked in the automotive aftermarket (I.e. parts) with most of this time on van parts.

Whilst what I about to say will be of little interest to those leasing a van, if anybody has a van that is still under manufacturers warranty you can save running costs by NOT using dealers for servicing your van.

No matter what your dealer may say, as long as you service your van to the manufacturers schedule and use OE quality parts then your warranty will not be affected. By doing this you can half the fitting lists - a typical garage charges c£45 per hous for labour and a main dealer £70plus. When doing this always make sure that the garage doing the service knows the van is still under warranty.

 

[Ian]

Whilst a relative newbie to the forum and industry, I have previously worked in the automotive aftermarket (I.e. parts) with most of this time on van parts.

Whilst what I about to say will be of little interest to those leasing a van, if anybody has a van that is still under manufacturers warranty you can save running costs by NOT using dealers for servicing your van.

No matter what your dealer may say, as long as you service your van to the manufacturers schedule and use OE quality parts then your warranty will not be affected. By doing this you can half the fitting lists - a typical garage charges c£45 per hous for labour and a main dealer £70plus. When doing this always make sure that the garage doing the service knows the van is still under warranty.

Good bit of info

 

[Peter]

Connect SWB, just bought outright and pay insurance outright. Probably use about £30-50 a week on fuel on an average week. It didn't need anything other than a tyre for the last MOT and hasn't really needed anything other than routine servicing. Servicing costs are not really an issue as my dad's a mechanic. :lol:

Don't like the idea of buying a van on the drip and a bill coming in on a quiet month but I can see the logic. If you're going to lose the money in tax anyway, you may as well be driving a new van.

 

[kitchensofdesir]

Ive got a 2003 Mk1 Merc Vito 110. Bought it couple years ago for £2800. Its on 126k now. Service it myself. Had a wheel bearing go, a problem with starter, and heater plug light on perminant but starts in cold fine, apart from that no issues. I put one of those fuel chip boxes on and gone from 32mpg to 43+mpg and it pulls like a train. Only issue is it has aircon fitted after manufacture and it don't work anymore. Must look into that soon..... MAYBE.....When I get round to it......