It’s no secret that we are facing fairly unpredictable times, with costs continuing to rise for business owners of all sizes. Many may now be looking for cost-effective solutions to enhance their operations while saving money.
An area this can be done is by buying used vehicles. For some businesses, purchasing vehicles makes up a large part of their expenses, whether it’s a company that needs to refresh or expand its fleet or a single tradesperson who relies on their van to do their job.
Buying a used truck or van comes with a long list of advantages, especially when you’re looking to make cost-effective changes at work, including affordability, reliability, and availability. In this post, we’ll get into why making the decision to buy used vans or trucks is a great one.
Why should I consider a pre-owned vehicle for my business?
Let’s get into why used vans and trucks make the perfect choice for businesses of all sizes and budgets.
Affordability
The biggest draw of used vehicles is the lower price point. With technology features advancing and the cost of materials rising, new vehicles are becoming more and more expensive. While these upgrades are appealing, they price new vehicles out of many budgets.
Used vehicles aren’t necessarily models from 15 years ago. There is such a wide range of ages and vehicle types available that you’re still able to purchase a truck or van with modern amenities but for far less. The used vehicle market is thriving, giving businesses of any budget the opportunity to purchase quality vehicles without breaking the bank.
Another note to consider is newer vehicles often cost more to repair, thanks to that advanced tech. Additional training and upgraded tools and parts come into play when a new vehicle needs maintenance, driving the price of servicing up.
Reduced deprecation
Used vehicles retain their value better because they’re no longer new. When it comes to brand-new vehicles, they start to depreciate the second you drive them off the showroom floor, with the biggest depreciation happening over its first year.
As used trucks and vans have already passed this age, their depreciation is far slower and steadier. This means their resale value will sit closer to the value you paid for them, as long as they’ve been properly taken care of and maintained.
Environmentally friendly
By choosing a used vehicle, there is less need for new vehicles to be produced, greatly supporting positive environmental change. Vehicle manufacturing uses an incredible amount of energy, from material production to vehicle transportation, but we can help mitigate this in the long run by buying fewer new vehicles.
Availability
Purchasing a used vehicle removes several delays that come with buying new, including:
- No customisation delays – With no specific configurations, you won’t need to wait for customisation to be completed.
- Less of an impact from supply chain issues – Material shortages or supply chain disruptions can’t affect used vehicles already available.
- Wider market – You tend to find far more used models available than new, giving you a broader selection to choose from.
- Immediate stock – Because nothing has to be assembled, your truck or van will be ready to drive away on the spot.
Get what you want and fast by opting for a used vehicle without playing the waiting game.
Common myths and truths about used trucks and vans
Those not in the know about the benefits of buying used are likely believing the negative myths they hear. Let’s bust some of those now.
Myth 1: Used vehicles aren’t reliable.
Truth: When purchasing from a trusted seller, you can rest assured that your vehicle will be reliable. Take the Norfolk Truck & Van teams, for example. We carry out thorough checks and inspections on used vehicles before selling, and records will be provided of all past services and any issues the vehicle may have faced in previous ownership, such as an accident.
Myth 2: Buying used means compromising on features.
Truth: Vehicles built over the last decade or so have been designed to last. Advanced safety and efficiency aren’t just found in brand new vehicles. Older vans and trucks can boast parking sensors, navigation systems, and even advanced driver assistance systems – it all depends on the model you choose. Used does not have to mean ancient.
Myth 3: Used vehicles are more expensive to maintain.
It may be true that old vehicles require extra maintenance, not all used vehicles are going to be costly to keep serviced. By purchasing from reputable dealers like Norfolk Truck & Van, you’ll know that your vehicle has met high-quality standards before being sold, with any issues being identified and rectified.
It’s easy to forget that new vehicles also need maintenance, which can be more costly if the technology is more advanced and requires specific qualifications and gear. New vehicles need oil changes, brake replacements and tyre checks just like any used vehicle does.
Your trusted used truck and van partner
Here at Norfolk Truck & Van, we pride ourselves on selling only the very best used vehicles to our customers. We test and inspect each vehicle we sell on to ensure it meets our high standards, providing you with peace of mind alongside a fantastic commercial vehicle for your business.
We always have an ever-moving range of used vehicles available from one of our three main depots, based in Norfolk, Suffolk and London. Visit our used vehicle page to see what’s on offer, or get in touch to talk to us about what you’re looking for.
For the Norfolk depot, call 01603 253 300. For the Suffolk depot, call 01473 834 200. For the London depot, call 0208 804 1266. Alternatively, use our online enquiry form and a member of the depot’s team will get in touch.