Finding a van...

Avoid the Fiat Doblo, my friend has got a 54 Plate one and has had nothing but trouble with it.... Broken down a few times and generally falling apart.
 
I think a Caddy could be within budget, right at the top end and 3-4 years old.

I imagine it will be a nicer place to be and better built?
 
Tesla said:
If there is no saving to be had at auction then ideally I would pefer to buy from a private seller who has owned the vehicle from new. I just have this idea that ex-lease = ragged/mis-treated?
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Vans are designed to take a lot of punishment.

What you're looking for rather than the above is a smallish company falling victim to our current economic climate who have replaced their vans in the last 18 months.

There are bargains out there at the moment especially if you have money.
 
Where's best to look for them do you think edge?

What sort of discounts would a main dealer give at the moment do you think? Crazy amounts? New and/or used.
 
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I know some receivers put adverts in local papers but that tends to be for stuff like stock that is just in the way. I suppose the danger with more valuable stuff like vans is they get carted straight down to auction.

However, it might be worth looking here http://http://www.governmentauctionsuk.co.uk/ might point you in the right direction

If you happen upon the right people you'll get a steal. A guy in know bought himself a brand new racing dinghy for £11k using his business to pay for it so it belonged to the company. When it went bump 3 years later it got sold for £3k by the reciever.
 
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Where do these receiver guys flog the vehicles?

Sometimes I go to a local auction where they have stock (sometimes a few vehicles) of bankrupt businesses. Is this where the vans end up?
 
Tesla said:
Where do these receiver guys flog the vehicles?

Sometimes I go to a local auction where they have stock (sometimes a few vehicles) of bankrupt businesses. Is this where the vans end up?
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Ring leasing companies (like I've said) they are the ones who reposes the vehicles using outside agents, they also have a stock of vehicles that have just come off lease (anywhere between a year to 5 years old) that they are looking to dispose of.
 
I'm going to view a Doblo today. It's up for £3650ono. Private seller.

I know it's a strong buyers market at the moment so what discount off of that would you consider realistic?

Any haggling tips?
 
They have commercial sales at westbury car auctions, i dont think thats too far from yourself. Might be worth heading down there!
 
well if its a small van your looking for, our fleet consists of VW's mostly (caddy, transporter) but i have to say the VX combo does get my vote! Caddys are overpriced and french vans are a no no, what you want is something reliable and we have had no problems with the combo, and i have to say the engineers do rag it! so takes a good beating.

Not sure about fords connects but it did win that van of the year but think that was 2007 so cant be that bad.
 
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