My Car Checktop tips for used van buyers May 2015: Special focus on crew vans - Transporter, Vito, Trafic and Vivaro all praised
My Car Check - the UK's No.1 consumer vehicle data provider - has saved millions of people from making an expensive used car mistake. In these monthly bulletins its light commercial vehicle (LCV) expert reveals significant trends in the UK market andsuggests three wise buys - this month, combined van and people carriers, crew vans.
Highly desirable: VW Transporter crew van
Safe bet: outgoing model Mercedes Benz Vito crew van
Used star: Renault Trafic or Vauxhall Vivaro crew vans
My Car Check's LCV expert, David Hill, commented: "Our highly desirable crew van is the Volkswagen Transporter. Money aside, it would be almost everybody's first choice. It is available in some great specifications, from basic to top of the shop. Of course, due to this popularity, prices can be high. When it comes to negotiating, remember, as well as revealing a van's history, My Car Check also provides valuations - a great tool for haggling with dealers or private sellers.
"In terms of LCVs likely to hold their value, safe bets don't come much safer than an outgoing model Mercedes Benz Vito crew van, or Dual Liner as they're sometimes called. These are always sought-after but check to make sure the one you're looking at is what it claims to be, especially when buying privately.
"For our used star this month, we've gone for the Renault Trafic or Vauxhall Vivaro crew vans. These are often overlooked but the Sport and Sportive models are particularly good - look for the ones with alloy wheels. By going this way you can either save money on a comparable Transporter or Vito, or get a much newer van for your budget. When looking at any newish secondhand vehicle, it is worth checking that it is free of debt, i.e. that it actually belongs to the seller and not a finance company."
As to market trends, Hill commented: "We expect values to remain steady this month and, although the market will slow down, the volume coming in is also likely to slow. This should hopefully keep the market in balance.
"The small van sector is where we have most volume. Ford Transit Connect is still the strongest performer. Volkswagen Caddy values are fluctuating from week to week depending on volume. There are plenty of Citroen Nemo vans around, and its sister vans too. As usual, the better specification models are easier to sell, but very tidy, high mileage examples look great value. With more Mercedes Benz Citan models coming through, retail buyers still seem unconvinced of its benefits over a Renault Kangoo.
"In the small panel van sector, there are lots of late, short wheelbase Ford Transits. With such choice available, buyers are naturally picking off the nicest ones first. The new Ford Transit Custom is a regular at most auction sites now. It is getting a following and values look to have settled down.
"Volkswagen Transporter is still the favourite with retail buyers. Vauxhall Vivaro stock is drying up a little. Even some 55 plate models from the telecoms industry have been snapped up at good money by the trade - they have a reputation for being well looked after. We have also started to see some new model Vivaros appearing in open auctions.
"The market for larger panel vans remains strong, with good examples of both the Fiat Ducato and Citroen Relay so sought after by the trade. Long wheelbase Ford Transits are still hard to come by, leading many retail buyers to consider less expensive alternatives. Mercedes Benz Sprinter is still the larger panel van that most retail buyers would ideally like to own, with the Volkswagen Crafter a close second, especially the face-lifted model with sensible miles and full history.
"It is traditionally the start of the minibus season, but legislation changes are hampering this sector. However, demand for six, seven and eight seat models is buoyant. The Volkswagen Caravelle is particularly popular with retail buyers and prices certainly reflect this.
"The 4x4 market is steady with Mitsubishi still the number one in terms of volume. The star performer here is still the Volkswagen Amarok."
My Car Check's parent company, CDL Vehicle Information Services, performs over a million look-ups a day for companies including AutoExpress, CompareTheMarket, Confused.com, Go-Compare, Moneysupermarket, Swiftcover, Tesco Compare and WhatCar?.
It uses up-to-the-minute data from the Police, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and all major finance houses including Lloyds TSB and Santander.
To help UK consumers make the right choice, My Car Check can confirm in seconds whether your potential pride and joy has ever been scrapped, stolen or written-off, has any money owing on it, has had a plate or colour change and much more.
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Notes To Editors
There's a "Transporter_crew" JPG to go with this.
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