Buying a van: what should you pay attention to?
A van must provide sufficient space and payload capacity without being larger or heavier than daily operations require. The correct body style, wheelbase, roof height, powertrain and interior layout depend on the cargo, number of occupants and routes.
Therefore, first measure what actually needs to be carried and where the vehicle needs to be able to go. A long, high-roof van offers substantial volume, but is less maneuverable and will not fit in every parking garage, workshop or loading bay.
Panel van, crew cab or chassis cab
A panel van protects tools and goods and can be used immediately as cargo space. A crew cab offers extra seating, but the second row of seats reduces available load length and payload capacity. Check how many seats are officially listed on the vehicle documents.
A chassis cab forms the basis for applications such as a drop-side body, tipper, refrigerated body or box body. Assess the weight and dimensions of the complete body build; the specifications of the bare chassis reveal little about the ultimate payload capacity.
Wheelbase, roof height and load opening
Select the wheelbase and roof height based on the longest and highest cargo regularly transported. Check interior length, width between the wheel arches, door opening and loading height. A large specified load volume is only useful if goods can actually fit through the door and be secured safely.
Sliding doors on one or both sides are practical for distribution and urban operations. Rear doors that open wide help when loading against a loading dock, while a tailgate can provide shelter. Also pay attention to turning circle, vehicle length and overall height in the daily working environment.
Payload capacity and racking
For parcels and lightweight materials, load volume is usually the limiting factor. Tools, parts, fluids and construction materials make available payload capacity more important. Subtract racking, interior paneling, roof racks, tow bars and other accessories from the vehicle's permitted carrying capacity.
Driver, passengers and personal items also contribute to the actual vehicle weight. Furthermore, heavy modular racking can affect weight distribution and axle loads. If in doubt, have a fully equipped commercial vehicle weighed before putting it into daily maximum load service.
Diesel, petrol or electric
The appropriate powertrain is determined by daily distance, payload, route and charging infrastructure. Diesel remains practical for longer and varied routes. Petrol can be suitable for lighter applications and lower annual mileages. An electric van is particularly interesting for predictable routes and charging at own premises or during fixed downtime.
When driving electric, do not just compare the specified range. Payload, outdoor temperature, speed, heating, cooling and towing a trailer all affect real-world range. Check battery capacity, charging power in kilowatts, plug type and remaining warranty conditions.
Inspecting a used van
Check maintenance history, mileage, tyres, brakes, clutch or automatic transmission, and look out for fluid leaks and error codes. Wear and tear on the driver's seat, load compartment, doors and sills can reveal a lot about the intensity of previous use.
Inspect the load floor and tie-down points, and look for moisture, poorly repaired damage and overloading. For electric models, check battery health, charging history, operation of both charging options and available battery reports.
Comparing new and used vans
On TruckTrader you can compare vans by make, model, year of manufacture, mileage, fuel type, transmission, body style and trim level. Ask the seller for exact interior dimensions, weights and information regarding maintenance history and installed commercial vehicle racking.
For example, view Mercedes-Benz van, Volkswagen van, Ford van, Renault van, Iveco van, Fiat van, Citroen van, Peugeot van, Opel van and MAN van and then compare wheelbase, roof height and payload capacity.
Looking for more cargo space or a different commercial vehicle?
Then also view Trucks for sale, Box body trucks for sale, Buses for sale, Car transporters for sale and Parts for sale.