New, Used Or Electric Van – What’s Best?

Vanaways
Vanaways
18th Sep 2023
New, Used Or Electric Van – What’s Best?

Are you on the hunt for your next van purchase? Deciding between a new, used or electric van can be a tricky decision. Luckily, we’ve provided a thorough breakdown of each category so that you can make the best, and most informed decision. To find out more about each of these types of van, keep on reading!

New Vans

Buying a brand new vehicle will always have that fresh novelty feel, which some drivers desire. A new van will give you peace of mind that you are the first to use it, and you should be safe from faults or damage to the vehicle. The lifespan of a well-kept new van could be from 10-15 years, meaning you should choose your vehicle investment wisely!

Pros

  • Modern and more efficient options for your vehicle
  • Maintenance costs are likely to be lower with a new vehicle
  • Having full ownership of the van may give you more freedom to use it and customise it to your own tastes and ideas

Cons

  • The upfront costs of buying a new van will be much more expensive
  • Insurance is typically higher on brand new vehicles
  • The value of your vehicle will depreciate over time and you may not get a great return on investment later down the line

Second-Hand Vans

Buying second hand vehicles is great for a range of reasons, and is more cost effective than buying outright. Used vans hold their value relatively well, so if you like to change your vehicle often, second hand could be the way to go.

Pros

  • Lower insurance premiums
  • Wide selection of makes & models
  • Price and overall value is better for second hand vehicles

Cons

  • You may be uncertain about the vehicle history
  • Certain features may be outdated
  • Lots of damage and repairs can be costly

Electric Vans

More and more cities are introducing clean air or low emission zones, encouraging the use of electric vehicles. Purchasing an electric van can help you to have lower tax payments and avoid congestion charges too. Various government schemes are being set up to encourage the use of electric vehicles too, but are they right for your next purchase?

Pros

  • Lower running costs and maintenance
  • Eco-friendly and less emissions released
  • Easy and comfortable to drive, quieter overall

Cons

  • Reduced payload (not great if you rely on your van to transport lots of heavy goods)
  • Depreciation also applies to electric vehicles (bad ROI in future)
  • Charging points can be difficult to access and you’re not always guaranteed a charger

Vanaways

Here at Vanaways, we are proud to offer electric vans for sale, used and new vans as well as services such as vans on finance. To find out more about our services, or what we do, feel free to contact us today!

Vanaways Reviews

   
Lynne S

Lynne S

04 March 2026

"First time using Vansaway! I was in a bit of a panic as my van broke down and I was unable to fix it. My van is my livihood, so I looked into leasing and contract. I wish I done it sooner. I spoke to Jonathan as my first point of contact. I couldn't have got any luckier having him as my support. He was absolutely fantastic, he went above and beyond to help me. He was easy to contact and would always reply when I had any concerns or questions. His knowledge on all vehicles was impeccable, which made things easier. He listened to what I wanted and needed and explained everything thoroughly help me making the right choice in plan and kept in touch throughout the entire process! He knew I was in desperate need of a van and he did not disappoint and kept his word and I was able to get my new van delivered as soon as possible. Enjoying the drive. Its great about the perks involved in having a contract hire as well! Thank you so much for everything! Highly recommend, vans are just not how they use to be, so its great to have a brand new van along with the support of any engine faults things like that. A huge stress off my shoulders being sole trader."

Fiona

Fiona

30 May 2026

"First time leasing with Vanaways, but have leased before. Initial contact was with Justin, who found the van I need very quickly at a competitive price. No hard sell, and seamless. Yasmine completed the admin and arranged delivery. Great service from both. Follow up calls to see if I was satisfied with van. Professional and efficient, would highly recommend."

Mike Collins

Mike Collins

18 February 2026

"Excellent service from start to finish. Rob was very helpful throughout the purchase of our Ford Transit tipper. Can’t recommend them enough. Mike Collins."

phoebe palmer

phoebe palmer

11 March 2026

"I recently bought a new car from this company and had a fantastic experience from start to finish. Tyler and Steve C were both brilliant to deal with – friendly, professional and incredibly helpful throughout the whole process. They took the time to answer all my questions and made everything straightforward and stress-free. The customer service was excellent and I never felt pressured at any point. Both Tyler and Steve C really went above and beyond to make sure everything was sorted and that I was happy with the car. I couldn’t recommend them enough and would definitely buy from them again in the future. Thanks again for such a great experience!"

Justin Spary

Justin Spary

03 April 2026

"Really impressed with Vanways! The whole process of getting my new van was super smooth and easy, thanks to the brilliant team. Special thanks to Simon, Alexandra, and Tyler for all their hard work and support — they made it happen without any hassle. I’d highly recommend Vanways to anyone buying a new van. Top service!"

4.8 out of 5 from 498 reviews
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