Sell or part-exchange your van?

How the two routes differ

In a part-exchange, the dealer buys your existing van as part of buying the next vehicle and gives its value as credit. An outright sale separates those transactions. Vandervan buys the van directly and pays on collection day before loading, so you can discuss selling without having chosen a replacement. The timing can matter as much as the headline valuation. If you need the current van until another one is ready, establish the handover arrangements before committing. If you already have a replacement, an outright sale lets you deal with the old van separately. The approved comparison grid lists no selling fee for either vandervan or part-exchange. It also lists delivery to the dealer for part-exchange and free collection from home, work or a garage with vandervan. Allow for those practical differences when comparing the work involved in each route.

Compare the complete deal

• The replacement vehicle's price and the credit for your current van. Keep both figures visible so you can see how much you would need to add to complete the purchase.
• The separate sale valuation. Compare it with the part-exchange allowance using the same description of your van, including known mechanical problems, accident damage and the paperwork you hold.
• The handover arrangements. Part-exchange involves delivering the van to the dealer; vandervan collects free from home, work or a garage. Consider how that fits with your working day and travel plans.
• The timing of access to a replacement. Establish when you would hand over the old van and when you could use the next one, especially if losing transport would interrupt work.

Condition, finance and the logbook

The comparison grid says part-exchange requires the logbook and has no minimum ownership period. It lists vans on finance as accepted, while mechanical problems, non-runners, Cat S and Cat N write-offs and accident damage are accepted sometimes. Ask the dealer about your particular van before planning around a part-exchange. Tell it about the actual fault or damage and get an answer for that vehicle. Vandervan buys vans in those conditions and can also buy without the full V5C. Having the logbook or the green new keeper slip remains useful; tell us what is available. If finance is outstanding, request a settlement figure from the lender and discuss it before the sale. Keep that figure alongside the offer and replacement details when comparing routes. An attractive part-exchange allowance does not explain by itself how an outstanding balance will be dealt with.

Choose around your next vehicle

Neither route should be chosen from a single large-looking allowance. Write down the total you would need to complete the replacement purchase after disposing of your existing van. Include any arrangements already discussed for outstanding finance. Keep delivery and collection separate in your notes so a convenient handover is weighed alongside the actual figures.

Before you agree either route

Before signing, read the details of the proposed sale and replacement purchase together. Confirm which van is involved, which offer you are accepting and when the handover is intended to happen. Ask questions about anything you have only discussed verbally, especially known faults, missing documents or finance. If your van no longer moves, establish the transport arrangement before choosing a route that requires delivery. Vandervan can collect non-runners, while the comparison grid describes part-exchange acceptance for them as sometimes. That needs a dealer's answer for your vehicle. If your plans change, revisit the timing before agreeing collection or delivery: selling a work van too early can leave a gap before the replacement is available. Choose using the full deal and the transport plan you can actually carry out.

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