Best van finance deals: December 2024
From high-capacity haulers to compact models based on cars, there’s a huge range of vans available on BuyaCar
If you're looking for a cheap van deal, hunting down a well looked after used model is likely to be your best shot of saving money. The used market often has plenty of affordable van deals to choose from, meaning getting behind the wheel of a relatively low-mileage model with affordable monthly finance payments is within reach.
Whether you need a van for delivery jobs, to transport your goods to retailers or as a self-employed tradesperson, there are thousands of used vans available here on BuyaCar, with prices starting from less than £10,000
The variety of vans on sale now has grown massively in the past few years. The introduction of hybrid and electric models has added further choice, and while many drivers will still feel that a strong and dependable diesel is still the way to go, if you'd rather reduce your emissions and avoid paying the ULEZ in central London, we have cheap deals on electric vans available, too.
While the number of new cars sales has fallen since the pandemic began in 2020, van sales bounced back quickly to somewhere approaching pre-pandemic levels. So if you like so many others are in need of a new van, you have the chance to go for a cheaper used option and save some cash.
Citroen Dispatch
Loadspace 5.3-6.6m3
Payload 988kg
Fuel economy 38.7mpg-44.8mpg
The Citroen Dispatch was developed as part of a joint venture between Citroen, Peugeot and Toyota. As a result, the new Dispatch provides significant improvements over the outgoing model, with higher carrying capacities, lower running costs and improved refinement.
The latest Dispatch model is available in two sizes - M, giving a maximum load length of 3,674mm, and XL, giving a 4,024mm maximum load length - although it is unavailable as a high roof model. The larger Citroen Relay covers that.
There are two efficient diesel engines to choose from, with 120PS or 145PS, and an automatic gearbox is an option on the higher-powered unit. A 136PS electric e-Dispatch model comes in M or XL sizes, too, and features a maximum claimed range of 231 miles.
The Dispatch features plenty of car-like equipment, including a 10-inch touchscreen, while the driving experience is smooth and similar to driving a lower-slung model, too.
Citroen Dispatch 1000 1.5 BlueHDi 100 Van Enterprise
Price: £18,234 or £333.99 a month
Mileage: 21,000
Annual mileage limit: 10,000
Deposit: £2,735
Monthly payments: 47 x £333.99 (£15,697.53)
Optional final payment: £4,789
Total payable: £23,471.63
APR representative: 13.3%
PCP agreement length: 48 months
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Ford Transit Custom
Loadspace From 6m3
Payload From 643kg
Fuel economy 34mpg-39mpg
The Ford Transit is by far the most popular van on British roads. That means there are plenty of them available on the used market, so you're going to be spoiled for choice when it comes to picking the best Transit Custom for your needs. If you're looking for the lowest monthly costs, finance deals start from less than £460 per month on BuyaCar, rising from there for a newer or more upmarket versions.
It’s a brilliant-all rounder with strong and powerful diesel engines and two different wheelbases. It’s also one of the safest vans on the market, with a Euro NCAP rating of five stars out of five. However, legroom for front passengers isn’t great - something to consider if you regularly travel three up with tall people.
Ford Transit Custom 2.0 EcoBlue 130ps Low Roof Trend Van
Price: £25,499 or £480.62 a month
Mileage: 40,700
Annual mileage limit: 10,000
Deposit: £3,824
Monthly payments: 47 x £480.62 (£22,589.14)
Optional final payment: £6,031
Total payable: £32,694.99
APR representative: 13.3%
PCP agreement length: 48 months
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Renault Trafic
Loadspace Up to 8.9m3
Payload From 970kg
Fuel economy 38.7-40.9mpg
The Renault Trafic is a family face on the UK's roads thanks to the fact that the current generation model has been around for 10 years. In that time, Renault has given the Trafic a good going over not once but twice, ensuring the van's line-up of engines remains competitive, and its interior technology is up to scratch. Safety kit has also been enhanced in recent years.
The Trafic is available in numerous height and length configurations, depending on requirements, and with a choice of three diesel engines and an all-electric model, too. The latest version of the Trafic includes a folding centre seat and clipboard setup that Renault touts as allowing you to use the van's cab as an office. The Trafic is also the sister van to the Vauxhall Vivaro, Fiat Talento and Nissan NV300.
Renault Trafic LL30 Blue dCi 130 Sport Van
Price: £27,594 or £449.92 a month
Mileage: 5,539
Annual mileage limit: 10,000
Deposit: £4,139
Monthly payments: 47 x £449.92 (£21,146.24)
Optional final payment: £10,837
Total payable: £36,372.34
APR representative: 13.3%
PCP agreement length: 48 months
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Vauxhall Combo/Combo Life/Combo Cargo
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Loadspace Up to 4.4m3
Payload Up to 1,000kg
Fuel economy 48.7mpg-51.5mpg
The Vauxhall Combo is one of the best small vans on the market when it comes to carrying capacity, running costs and practicality. The Combo is also well equipped, particularly when it comes to safety kit, although some of this is an optional extra.
Like its sister vans, the Peugeot Partner and Citroen Berlingo, the Combo can carry up to 1,000kg and provide as much as 4.4 cubic metres of load space. It’ll also carry pipes and ladders, measuring up to 3.4 metres, when fitted with the optional FlexCargo load-through hatch. The Combo Life is a five or seven-seater people carrier.
The Combo can be had with a choice of petrol and diesel engines, or an EV powertrain that gives a claimed range of up to 271 miles, and remains an easy and largely stress-free van to drive. The cabin is airy, comfortable and modern, while the light steering and firm suspension provides a supple ride quality.
Vauxhall Combo Life 1.2 Turbo Energy 5dr
Price: £13,495 or £217.99 a month
Mileage: 39,856
Annual mileage limit: 10,000
Deposit: £2,024
Monthly payments: 47 x £217.99 (£10,245.53)
Optional final payment: £5,219.20
Total payable: £17,738.98
APR representative: 13.3%
PCP agreement length: 48 months
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Volkswagen Transporter
Loadspace From 5.8m3
Payload From 688kg
Fuel economy 34.4mpg to 40.9mpg
The Volkswagen Transporter is popular among private buyers as well as businesses because of its dependability, and its history as a quality commercial vehicle. Build quality is a step above most others in this segment and it comes equipped with powerful and frugal engines. The range-topping 204hp bi-turbo engine gets the Transporter from 0-62mph in a rapid 8.6 seconds too.
In-cab storage isn’t on par with some marques, most notably Citroen or Peugeot. But it’s a small price to pay for an otherwise excellent product. A revised version of the T6 – known as the T6.1 (pictured above) – was introduced in early 2020.
Volkswagen Transporter 2.0 TDI 90 Startline Van
Price: £21,000 or £338.65 a month
Mileage: 25,750
Annual mileage limit: 10,000
Deposit: £3,150
Monthly payments: 47 x £338.65 (£15,916.55)
Optional final payment: £8,380
Total payable: £27,696.55
APR representative: 13.3%
PCP agreement length: 48 months
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Mercedes Vito
Loadspace From 5.5m3
Payload Up to 943kg
Fuel economy 36.7mpg-38.2mpg
The Mercedes Vito blends most of the practicalities of a panel van with a fairly car-like driving experience and interior. So while there may not be a high-roof version, the Vito is a comfortable, smooth drive, making long distances disappear, and allowing passengers to arrive at a job site feeling up to the task in hand.
There are a number of lengths of Vito available, plus plenty of useful technology on offer including crosswind assistance, hill start assist, load adaptive control and an anti-rollover system. The Vito also provides the basis for the plush V-Class, which has a completely different cabin.
Mercedes-Benz V-Class V300d AMG Line 5dr 9G-Tronic [Long]
Price: £49,099 or £755.69 a month
Mileage: 47,000
Annual mileage limit: 10,000
Deposit: £7,364
Monthly payments: 47 x £755.69 (£35,517.43)
Optional final payment: £22,330
Total payable: £65,462.28
APR representative: 13.3%
PCP agreement length: 48 months
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Should I buy my new van outright, or use leasing or PCP?
The traditional route of buying the van outright with cash or a bank loan has long been supplemented with two more versatile and lower cost options - leasing (or Personal Contract Hire) and PCP.
Buying outright can yield discounts, while the advantage of contract hire means that you'll get a brand new van, while things like depreciation, and what to do with the van when the lease ends are taken care of by the finance company. PCP offers the advantages of the lease, but adds the flexibility of being able to buy the van at the end of your finance agreement if you find it meets your needs and you have the cash ready to pay for it.
Which method of paying for your next van will depend to a great deal on the size of your business, usage and plans for the future.
What do I do if I have a van to part exchange?
Having a van to part exchange adds a layer of complication to the buying process and while it’s important to research and know the part-exchange value of your van, you should always think about its valuation in the context of the deal.
We'd recommend establishing the price (including any discounts) of the new van with the salesperson before you speak about part-exchanging your current vehicle.
A dealer may offset a high part exchange value against a smaller discount for the new van, so try to think in terms of what you’ll ultimately be paying. You can always sell privately if you don't think the dealer's offer for your existing van is good enough.
How do I know what VAT to pay on my van?
It's important to note that some new vans are advertised without VAT. And this means you may have to pay 20 per cent on top of the price you thought you originally had to pay.
VAT paid on light commercial vehicles can only be reclaimed if your business is VAT registered. However, if the van is also used privately, the business can only reclaim the amount of VAT that’s proportional to business use. For example, a van that is in private use 50 per cent of the time, can only have half of the VAT reclaimed. VAT can also be reclaimed on leased commercial vehicles, subject to the same conditions for business use. In general HMRC assumes a mix of business and personal use, and amends VAT returns accordingly.