Should You Buy or Lease a New Van?

Needing a new van can be a daunting experience. There are so many different makes and models available to choose from, as well as the various options to pay for it. Once you've decided on the van you want, you ultimately have two options. Traditionally, a new van would just be bought outright with cash or a bank loan ( visit this link to learn more about the van finance deals available); however, another option to consider is leasing. So, how are they different, and which will fit your business best?

Buying A Van

If you decide to buy a van outright then you will have to deal with the consequences of a depreciating asset, because as soon as you drive it off the dealer's forecourt, it starts to lose value. Having said that, many businesses or sole traders still like to buy their van outright because it means that they own it and it is often their most important work tool. As an asset of your business, it also means that if you need to trade, sell or swap it, you can do so whenever you want to or need to.

Although it is a hefty initial outlay, if you are able to get the cash together and buy it with your own money, you then have no additional outgoing payments to cover its cost. Alternatively, you can get a loan from a bank or building society to cover the initial cost with fixed monthly payments to repay the loan, making it easy to budget over a long period.

Buying a van brings more freedom because it is your own property which means that you can do whatever you want with it without any restrictions. There are no additional costs from another company if you cover a high mileage and you can have the van sign written in whatever way you like - nobody can stop you!

Handshake of car buyer and salesman who is handing over the keys

If you only use the van for business purposes and not personal use, you can offset the capital allowances against tax and you can offset the van's running costs when you own it. If the van was purchased using a bank loan, you can also reclaim the interest charges against tax too. Your own capital allowances can also be claimed and you don't have to be VAT-registered.

Despite all of these advantages to buying a van outright, there are also some drawbacks to consider. For instance, you will be responsible for every element of its upkeep including any maintenance and repair works which may prove too much if you are a high-mileage van user. The costs of breakdowns and repairs can be crippling to any business. It will also be your responsibility to insure and tax the van as well as footing the bill for wear and tear items such as tyres and clutches.

Read this article to find out how to get van finance for self-employed individuals.

Leasing A Van

A typical leasing agreement is not like buying a van because you will never actually own it. However, here at Loads of Vans, at the end of your contract, you can sell the van to a third party and keep 99% of what you are able to sell it for. Alternatively, you can keep using the van for just £8.33 + VAT per year with nothing else to pay. This then becomes a rolling contract and the same two options are offered to you every year.

Instead of a large initial outlay, you will pay a deposit and then a fixed monthly fee for a fixed period, usually between 24 and 60 months, for the use of the van. The main advantage of leasing a van is that budgeting is made easier thanks to the fixed monthly cost and the outright cost of a van is removed from the company's books.

The cost of leasing payments are allowable against tax, so you won't be losing out here when compared to owning the van outright and our Financial Lease agreement will give you 100% tax relief on all of your payments. Thanks to the fixed period of the lease agreement you will know exactly when you need to get a new van. Most leasing agreements also come with maintenance packages so that you don't have to worry about servicing and repairs which can become costly.

lease agreement contract and pen

Usually, the downsides of leasing a van are within the terms of the leasing agreement itself. While it helps with monthly budgeting, it can also very restrictive in terms of mileage and the condition the van needs to be kept in. Most leasing agreements will come with a set mileage limit and a fee for every mile you exceed. Similarly, a typical leasing company will expect the van to be returned in good working condition and may be restrictive with any sign writing; or any permitted sign writing will need to be completely removed before handing the van back. However, here at LOV, there are NO restrictions on the mileage you do or the condition the vehicle is kept in.

Which Option Is Best For You?

Ultimately, only you can answer this question. You are the only one that knows how each option will affect your finances and what you can afford to do at any given time. To help you make an informed decision, here is a snapshot of the advantages and disadvantages of buying and leasing from Loads of Vans:

Buy a Van from Loads of Vans -

Advantages:

You own the van - it is an asset of your business

You are not restricted to a mileage limit

You can do whatever you want in terms of design/sign writing

You can offset capital allowances and running costs if the van is used for business purposes only

You can reclaim bank loan interest charges against tax

Disadvantages:

You have bought a depreciating asset

You are responsible to pay for and organise any maintenance and repair works

You are responsible to tax and insure the van

You will need to pay for wear and tear items (e.g. tyres and clutches)

Lease a Van from Loads of Vans -

Advantages:

You will own 99% of the van

You have fixed monthly payments over a fixed period

The outright cost of a van is removed from the company's books

The cost of leasing payments is allowable against tax

You can sell the van on to a third party and keep 99% of what you sell it for, or, if you keep it, you can continue using it for £8.33 + VAT per year

Leasing agreements come with a maintenance package

There are no mileage or condition stipulations

You will receive 100% tax relief

Disadvantages:

You won't ever own 100% of the van

Make sure you follow this link and find out the benefits of leasing a van where we detail more about this type of van financing or read our article where we compare Lease Purchase vs Hire Purchase types of deals.