Vans

There's quite a few to choose from, Some want a long long contract others do it month by month.
Some want you to get your own insurance if it's long term , say 6 months or more.
Yes some have a mileage limit and whack you really hard for going over.

We have never leased vans we have always bought outright. It doesn't have to be brand new let someone else buy it new for you and use it for a year or two and then buy. Exlease are usually ok, Low mileage, regular servicing.

Servicing isn't too bad as long as you do it more or less on time every time. get a good local garage to look after you and tell them you will always use them if they are fair with you.

Buying/leasing and servicing a van can be as easy or hard as you make it.
 

Try buying from an auction- one that specialises in ex-hire or lease vans. Hire companies make huge profits when they hire them out so tend to let them go cheap at auction. 

Hello.
 I have been self employed for just under a year, and i brought my  van outright . I then arranged all my own insurance, AFTER taking in advice from my contacts, some prospective clients , and an accountant.
Different options will affect your business tax ,and your v.a.t if you choose to register.
These can rock an already choppy cashflow; so reseach , listen and plan in some "what if !"
Most important to me was to have peace of mind in service and safety - that costs alot, and some clients don't care, BUT they aren't the ones who pay a sustanable rate or pay on time.
You can be white sprinter van man if thats what your slice of the  market demands, or something else more original.
And i drive a new shape Fiat Doblo/Vauxhall combo.  Because my Peugeot  lower back does not spasm , Transit Connect tinnitus is subsiding, and my bank account is not drained by volkswagen. Happy Days

http://www.northgatevehiclehire.co.uk/

HMMMMMMMMMMM Northgate

I know a driver who had a small bump in one of their vans, He had to rent another whilst it was in the workshop for a new bumper which only had a light scratch and also needed a small trim part that attaches to the bumper.

The trim part took 3 weeks to arrive at the main dealer and they wouldn't pass the van off until this 5cm trim bit was fitted so the driver had no choice but to have two vans on hire.

Needless to say they both went back very soon after. and has never hired again.

Another time i had a 7.5 ton on hire and called them to say i am running late by 15 minutes after their closing time and i need my small van that was in the yard for an early run tomorrow and would they please just hang on i will pay a little extra as i really need the van for a contract.

The guy said no not a chance we don't hang around for anyone.   Fair enough but that's the kind of customer service the made us not use them again.

Just a couple of true stories,.............................It's up to you.

I sold my car and bought a van. That way if it didn't work out I'd be driving a van instead of a car. Fortunately it worked out but I prefer to drive the van anyway - more room for the shopping!

well i guess each depot is different but my experiencewith northgate is all good

Going to upgrade to a Transit Jumbo so can't see me taking my wife shopping in that!

Thanks to you all for the info, it is very much appreciated.

Northgate is fine we got about 20 on hire from them at the moment. Its just so much easier than the grief of bying and maintaining vans which are ultimately gonna get abused and do 100k a year. On the flip side of that it is expensive for any damage the driver causes ie. fag burn in vw caddy seat . £4oo for new seat .. Not happy bout that but hey ....

I found the northgate nottingham attitude very poor and everything you asked was an intrusion of their working day.

I have been with Northgate for about 5 years and not reallyhad a problem' I got a small dent in the wing and they gave me a price of £350 +vat + rental of another van. Went to a local garage and got it sorted for £65 + vat. So if you do decide to to go down the Northgate route do not let them fix any damage.

Picked up a job today at Royal Tunbridge Wells returning to Essex got stopped just other side of tunnel by plod, stuck me on weighbridge  3280kg ! tell told me they had nicked 4 vans already today this was 11am ! ! !