A colleague is wanting to buy a 2nd hand small van for a new business venture. I can only think of the Renault Kangoo. Any other suggestions? His budget is around the £4000 mark and he wants something that is obviously reliable...not sure about Renault!
Regarding warranties, I understand that existing warranties can be transferred into the new owners name (?) but they only get the warranty that is left. For a 2nd hand vehicle whose warranty has run out, is it possible to get one from the dealer? (does this make sense?)
Any help appreciated.
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If at first you do succeed, try not to look astonished
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i fancied a small van with an auto gearbox fairly new second hand, wasnt able to find auto van anywhere, ive noticed the fire brigade running some so they do exist, wonder if they were a special import
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John - just found a Berlingo automatic on AutoTrader. Very, very few around.
Jane - what kind of business venture is it? Would a lease or contract hire be more appropriate from a tax/VAT/cash flow perspective? My advice would be for him to get a Citroën Berlingo or Peugeot Partner, which are fairly reliable and the 1.9 litre version is very simple and easy to fix. Yes, they're French but I'd have slightly more faith in one of them than a Kangoo. (Vansboy will be along to advise on that).
It is possible to buy extended warranties on vans, just like most things. The problem is that the dealer will sell the one that makes the commission, not the one that looks after you. I wouldn't say that you should never consider one, but another major factor in choosing a van in terms of reliability would be the loss of income if the van is out of action - at the very least you'd be looking at ~£30 a day for rental if there is no courtesy vehicle, and possibly more if it needs specialist racking, etc.
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Would you be happy buying in auction??
The Renault are quite often entered in quantity, from British Gas fleet.They would be blue, have side doors & a service history, of some kind & be sensible mileages.
Might be worth a day out at a van sale - WITHOUT your deposit.Expect a saving of around £1000+ against dealer prices & allow for a GOOD service/cambelt change & maybe some paintwork. Sort your own warranty from Warranty Direct, link in this site!
Don't forget vans are PLUS VAT, so your £4,000 van is nearer £5,000
More info - ask again!
VB
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I would buy Peugeot Partner / Citroen Berlingo over Renault Kangoo any day.
In fact, I did just that. Had a 3.5 yr old Berlingo bought from Blackbushe with 100k, added another 72k to it in eight months and only had to replace starter motor. It was going fine until someone wrote it off for me. Replaced with 3 yr old Partner, drives absolutely fine, you wouldn't know it had 120k...
Several colleagues run Kangoos, and have had numerous problems, including one £600+ bill for a seized alternator, on a two-year old van.
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Several other possibilities in no particular order other than as they spring into my head.
Fiat Doblo
Escort Van
Daihatsu Hi-Jet
Seat inca
VW Caddy
Skoda Hi-Cube
Suzuki Super Carry
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I've driven a W reg Kangoo with 55k on the clock. Not pleasant, and didn't feel like it'd last much longer. I guess the Escort or something Japanese would be my choice...
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FIL has a Citroin Dispatch 2.0 Ddi which he's delighted with.
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The Renault Kangoo is available in an auto, but only with the 1.6 petrol engine. A friend has one for their courier business and it has been very reliable to date.
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If you want a small automatic van you could always get a Nissan S-Cargo
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