Buying a new van for your business is a big investment, so making an informed choice is crucial. Be prepared with our top tips for choosing a new van and feel confident that you know what to consider before taking the plunge.

Don’t assume that bigger is better

When it comes to choosing a van for your business, you may be tempted by the biggest and most powerful option – but it’s worth taking a step back and considering what you will be using it for. Is there a chance the van will be too big to easily park near jobs? Will a more powerful engine increase your insurance costs?

Matching the van to your needs is more important than always shooting for the top of the line. And be sure to also consider whether your business needs might change in the future – a van is an investment that you’ll want to last for as long as possible.

Be sure you’re using a reputable dealer

The last thing you want to do is pick up a business van from a dodgy dealer. Choose a reputable dealership and you’ll have legal protection in place should any problems occur. It’s typically more expensive to choose a dealership rather than a private seller, but the peace of mind (and after sales care) can be worth the potential price difference. Research your potential seller online to ensure they have a good reputation before you make a commitment.

Check the paperwork

Whether you’re buying a new or used van, you want to make sure you’ve looked at all of the important paperwork. For a used van, you’ll want to check things like the maintenance records and service history. For a new van, you might want to find out more about the warranty that’s on offer.

Always view and test drive

Never buy a business van sight unseen. You’ll never know exactly what you’re getting unless you view the van for yourself. Vans tend to be put through their paces so if you’re buying a used van, it’s especially important to look for signs of wear and tear. It’s also essential to book a test drive, whether you’re buying new or used. This will let you see how the van handles and how well it will suit your various business needs.

Don’t forget to check if you can claim back on tax

While buying a van for your business is a significant outlay, many small businesses will be able to claim the price of their van against their tax bill. You might be able to claim your vehicle as a capital allowance and business vans, unlike cars, can qualify for annual investment allowance, allowing you to deduct the full cost from your profits before paying tax. Be sure to check this out before buying, in case it makes a difference to your budget.

Buying a van for your business

Looking for some help finding the right van for your business? Our Volkswagen Van Centre dealerships are the perfect place to start. Our knowledgeable team will be very happy to talk you through your options.