Needing a van for self employment. Recomendations?

[pauldaf44]

Hi guys and girls id appreciate your advice.

In june im going self employed, running a mobile mechanics business. I intend to specialise in repairs and restorations of older vehicles but will not be turning down work on moderns. Because of the nature of the business the right work vehicle is absolutly vital and as I see it I have 3 options and unfortunatly a very meager budget.

1. A high roof LWB panel Van - The idea behind this is that I will be able to stand in the back of it and will divide the load area into general parts and tool storage, and a work area, complete with work bench and vice that I can use for simple fabrication and bench work on site. Effectively taking a workshop around with me. The downside is the size of van needed and the amount of fuel it will use.

2. Landrover van or 4x4 pickup - Far less working space and capacity for carrying tools but will be able to tow other vehicles when nessesary. Because of where I am working a lot of my customer base is likely to be in the farming community, having four wheel drive would be very useful if the vehicle ive been called to has broken down away from the road.

3. Car based van - This is what most garages seem to use. But I will not have a workshop as such as I intend my business line to be fixing vehicles at home for people and a car based van is going to be lacking on space. However fitting a fold out canvas work area to the back of the van could solve this problem and give me a reasonable work area.

Which do you think is the best option?

With a budget of £500 what vehicle would you be buying? I will be buying this vehicle very soon in order that it can be made presentable and reliable before its pressed into service in june.

[Patrick]

First thought; Have you a big auction house nearby that regularly shifts old Fleet vans/trucks? Just thinking that BT and British/Network Rail have "tougher" vehicles/vans etc. For reasonable prices.

[dafdaffer]

make sure that you can drive a van on your licence, i know some cant or tow,

ive got a berlingo and find it quite a good allround van, you might pick up the early version for that price, bear in mind as well the height of the vehicle can restrict you from entering some car parks plus the extra fuel.

i intend at some point to get a bigger van like a transit for my gardening and bits of plastering as its not quite long enough with having a fixed bulkhead

[33grinder]

I would certainly go for a car based van Paul. Granted, you cannot carry all your tools in it but if you are working on site then you should know what tools you need in advance so only need to take those. That also means less tools to empty out at the end of the day as tools stolen from a work van is an insurance nightmare (your home insurance will say talk to your motor insurers, and vice versa). Plus it saves on weight and therefore fuel. An Escort van or similar would be ideal. Personally I like Fords, plenty about for spares and easy to fix.

Landrovers are great but they are thirsty and £500 will get you a rust bucket. I know all too well from Martin that when things do go wrong with them it's very heavy lifting involved to swap out parts and without heavy duty lifting gear it's nigh-on impossible unless you've forearms built like a baboon's. Then again, they are like a giant mechano - everything available and therefore you cannot kill a landie.

Whatever you get needs to be a very good runner with good parts availability. It's not good PR for a mobile mechanic to turn down work as his own wheels are off the road.

[stefan]

Transit every time I run 2 and they are great

[mattsdafs]

Good luck with this Paul
I do think your budget is a little low and if poss try and increase it,saying that you might find an LDV van for that money ...stays with the DAF theme

[stefan]

My 51 reg transit which I got last year in june was £400 it has done 15,000 miles since without problem but it was a very lucky find as it was racked out perfect for our needs as well.