Old Vans

I feel there's quite a bit of snobbery in this industry regarding the age of a van. It's not the 'done thing' to show one-upmanship regarding what car people drive, and we ought to show similar tact when criticising drivers of older vans.

I probably have one of the oldest vans on mtvan, a 2003 Transit. I'll be upgrading in the next few months, not because of practicality but because I feel pressured into doing so.

It has been well looked after and never let me down, it's just as economical as modern vans, and it still has under 100,000 on the clock, which isn't ancient for a Transit. With care it could do another 100,000. Apart from a couple rust spots which appeared over the winter (which I'm currently restoring - give me another dry day) it's a perfectly presentable van for your average human being.

Of course there's a limit. I wouldn't try to do a job in my 1969 Land Rover. But I really don't see what's so terrible about a 10 year old Transit.

I'm sure it would make far more sense for vehicle / fleet owners to swallow their vanity and keep their vehicles well maintained for longer, than to fork out thousands each year in depreciation. But it looks like that's what I'm going to have to do.

I'm sure people will reply that it's what the customer wants. Not in my experience. They want the job done efficiently, at the right price, with a smile. A new van would be nice, but how many of them are willing to pay extra for it? Do you really care what your postman drives?

If you're happy with it that's all that matters. You can always put a private plate on it.

There's a Large transport company not too far from us with a turnover of 18 Million and good profits they have been operation for over 40 years.

They have 1999 - 2003 transits running around daily as well as their fleet of of 75 HGVS from 1996 - 2013 registrations.

Some of their older vans are rough though to be honest.

I think there are limits tho especially if they have done all there life in transport 1996 must be passed it surely. Zenith said his transit is under 100.000 miles which sounds as tho it aint worked that hard.

Some good point's here and I agree with Zenith, the vehicle must look prezentable and must be reliable and regular serviced, there are 2 taxi companies who charge £2 + a mile nr me and some of there vehicles are 8/9 years old, granted they always look clean and are not old bangers, but with this job comes lot's of miles and inevitably more chance of unreliability, I did say more chance that dosnt mean it will happen.

I guess part of the reason there aren't many older vehicles around doing courier work because at 50k a year most new vans are knackered before their 5th year.

ZENITH Courier Services said:

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I guess part of the reason there aren't many older vehicles around doing courier work because at 50k a year most new vans are knackered before their 5th year.

When I ran vans I tried to work to the rule of 150,000 miles then trade in for a new one if I could afford, that way I always had a van that was not to knackered and I would at least get a bit back on it has a trade in, most of the time it's not always that easy, lots of people say you should put so much away a week/month towards your next van, but who does.

If you've been driving the van yourself all the time and you know it has been pampered as it should and still feel it's reliable for the job it has to do... then I think it is the best publicity for your attitude as a courier. If you have that much respect for your vehicle, chances are that you are just as respectful towards the shipments clients entrust you with. All too often clients are given the (sometimes correct) impression that their prior function is to sponsor couriers' newest vans and accessories. Moreover, you stand a fair chance of making a better living than many in the 'trade': all satnavs and trackers and smartphones and aircos and the lot have to be paid for by... clients, right.

I agree with what your saying, but let's not start going backwards, I prefer and want a comfy vehicle with aircon, gone are the day's of sweating of my gonads, I want comfort and I want a vehicle that's upto the job, well that's ten pence worth.

I havent got a problem with older vans, it is funny how many courier companies don't give two hoots how old a bike is thou.

Misrepresentation is the thing thou, if you have an older van, or a car or indeed a 10 year old motorbike use it in your profile, website, flyers etc not stock photos

and it still has under 100,000

A 2003 with 100k on the clock hell, our 60 reg has 175k and the 61 has 138k

Good to hear some positive feedback. Maybe i'll continue to look after my current van for a while longer.

MK Bikes said:

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I havent got a problem with older vans, it is funny how many courier companies don't give two hoots how old a bike is thou.

Misrepresentation is the thing thou, if you have an older van, or a car or indeed a 10 year old motorbike use it in your profile, website, flyers etc not stock photos

I used to use my own photo until i started hearing negative comments (not refering to my van but older vans generally). Now i confess i use a stock photo of a newer transit, because i feel that a picture of my own van might automatically put me at a disadvantage among the less 'thinking' customers.

SMH said:

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and it still has under 100,000

A 2003 with 100k on the clock hell, our 60 reg has 175k and the 61 has 138k

Had 74k miles when i bought it last year for £2k including vat. 99k now.

Ive got no probs with using older vans as long as they are clean and not falling apart

People only want newer vans to impress thete customers, they should pay a premium.

Just come across a company (won't name them but they're named after a big cat) which boasts about its modern fleet. 75 vehicles and 95% of them (71 vehicles) are less than two years old.

Assuming average depreciation at £2000 a year for a new van (probably quite a conservative estimate?) then this company is paying about £142,000 in unnecessary depreciation every year. Sorry, it's customers are paying that.

If it ran vehicles which were 2 - 4 years old, depreciating by £1000 a year (very rough maths going on here) it would save enough (c.£71k) to employ two qualified full-time lead generators to grow their business, or one person plus a generous marketing budget... for example.

Or they could go to PwC or BCG who would charge them £71k and tell them to do what I've just said.

(Quiet day for me, in case you hadn't guessed already!)

All their vehicles could be leased

MK Bikes said:

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All their vehicles could be leased

In which case they might have less capital tied up, but won't their overall costs will be even higher? I'm not experienced in leasing, but my guess is that if you lease a new vehicle every couple of years, someone is still footing the bill for the depreciation.

Nowt wrong with older vans, I have a 04 berlingo 1.4 petrol thats just passed the 270300 marker with original engine and still manages 35-40mpg, the thing is its presentable inside and out and looks modern and well maintained with FSH, as mk has pointed out most companies are not bothered about age of vehicle but selling yourself on the internet with an old clapped out motor aint gonna win many customers.. As for bikes, most clients want cheap with speed or just plain urgent, but cheap and urgent dont go together..

First Van 54 Plate. (Died in a flood). Next Van 02 Plate, got rid, simply used far too much diesel. (Peugeot 1.9 non turbo). Then tried lease hire for a while, but became too expensive due to insurance costs. Now operate a Vauxhall Combo on a 60 plate. Lease purchase to keep accountant happy. Currently on 107000 miles, will keep until end of year then swop in for another Combo. I found the older vans always seemed to have faults, current one ok touch wood.

ZENITH Courier Services said:

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I probably have one of the oldest vans on mtvan, a 2003 Transit. I'll be upgrading in the next few months, not because of practicality but because I feel pressured into doing so.

It has been well looked after and never let me down, it's just as economical as modern vans, and it still has under 100,000 on the clock, which isn't ancient for a Transit. With care it could do another 100,000. Apart from a couple rust spots which appeared over the winter (which I'm currently restoring - give me another dry day) it's a perfectly presentable van for your average human being.

100000 MILES thats barely run in for a transit if it's looked after maintained and driven properly 247k on the one I just changed 02 plate mwb 125ps and I only changed it because I needed something bigger And i miss the old girl like hell

ZENITH Courier Services said:

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MK Bikes said:

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All their vehicles could be leased

In which case they might have less capital tied up, but won't their overall costs will be even higher? I'm not experienced in leasing, but my guess is that if you lease a new vehicle every couple of years, someone is still footing the bill for the depreciation.

There weekly cost may be a bit higher, but if they lose some work they will no doubt be able to adjust their fleet accordingly by not replacing the vehicle whose contract is up shortly, its a fixed cost so no surprises and with a fleet of 20 odd vehicles you won't be caring who drives them

I reckon Rico must have a clause that stipulates that your van must be older than five years going by the sheds I've seen with their logo on

MyVanCan.com said:

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I reckon Rico must have a clause that stipulates that your van must be older than five years going by the sheds I've seen with their logo on

They might just need a wash.

Zenith, personally i dont have a problem with the age of a van as long as its presentable and well maintained.

My old girl is a 2002 sprinter been it transport all its life, for 7 years it was drawing a loaded trailer on a daily basis, its rust spots get seen to as soon as i see them, washed daily and a coat of polish on weekly and maintained regardless. Oh and she has just hit 844k.

S & C Haulage Limited said:

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Zenith, personally i dont have a problem with the age of a van as long as its presentable and well maintained.

My old girl is a 2002 sprinter been it transport all its life, for 7 years it was drawing a loaded trailer on a daily basis, its rust spots get seen to as soon as i see them, washed daily and a coat of polish on weekly and maintained regardless. Oh and she has just hit 844k.

So it's nearly run in then?

Yeah i think im getting close to it being run in now lol

S & C Haulage Limited said:

---Oh and she has just hit 844k.

844k! That's stonking

Yep, most reliable van i've ever driven, i do a major inspection every 5 weeks, service every 4 weeks anything that looks iffy gets replaced

Thanks to all your comments, I've resolved to keep LA03 FOU for a good while yet. Any vehicle investment will continue to be put into thorough maintenance and cosmetic tinkering. One of the first things will be a new ply lining kit (£123 on eBay) which I think will transform the interior.