When it comes to selling your van there are a number of things worth thinking about to ensure that you get the best deal. We’ve put together a list of top tips which we hope will set you off in the right direction.

1. Value

Before telling everyone that your van’s up for grabs, it’s a good idea to find out how much it’s really worth. Make sure you’re armed with relevant information such as the make, model and year and then check out vehicle trading magazines, local newspapers and websites. It’s also a good idea to have a look at others ads selling similar vehicles.

2. Documents

When it comes to selling your van, whether privately or through a dealer, most people are going to want to know that it’s not stolen. To prove that it really is yours it’s a good idea to make sure that your van’s registration certificate is to hand. If it’s not, you can apply for a replacement on Form V62 which you can download from the direct.gov.uk website.

Alternatively, you can pick one up from your post office or contact the DVLA. As well as the registration certificate, your van might be more attractive to potential buyers if it has a full service history, MOT records and any other details of work carried out.

3. Sale arrangements

Now that you know your van’s value and have located the documents you need, it’s time to decide whether you’re going to sell your van privately, through a dealer or trade it in.

As identified below, there are benefits and drawbacks to each method so the route you decide to go down depends on how much of a hurry you’re in to sell, the price you want to achieve and how much time you have on your hands to manage the sale yourself.

Private Sale

√ Higher price

√ Control

× Time-consuming

× Stress and hassle

Dealer

√ Convenient, quick sale

× Lower price

Trade-in

√ Convenient, quick sale

√ Off-set value against new vehicle

× Lower price

4. Condition

However you decide to go about selling your van, but particularly if you’re selling privately, make sure it’s looking good – inside and out. A bit of TLC goes a long way and it could give your van the edge over other similar vehicles. Don’t forget to ensure that the oil and screen wash are topped up and that the tyre pressures are correct. Sometimes it’s the simple things that make all the difference. If your van’s no longer in daily use then try and give it a regular drive out – the last thing you want is trouble starting it when a potential buyer turns up for a test drive.

5. Advertising

There are loads of places to advertise that your van’s for sale: vehicle trading magazines, online, local newspapers, local shops, ‘For Sale’ signs on the van itself. Whichever method(s) you choose, make sure you give as much relevant information as possible: make, model, year, engine size, mileage, price, colour, added extras (air-con, power steering, etc.)... Importantly, remember to include your contact details.

6. Features

You’re looking to sell your van and to do that you need to highlight its features. If it’s got low mileage then shout about it! If it’s not a fuel guzzler then tell people. If you’re struggling to find selling points then think about what attracted you to the van in the first place as it’s likely other people will be drawn to it on that basis as well.

7. Appointments

It may sound obvious but if you’re selling privately then arrange viewing times which are convenient for you. Anyone who’s serious about buying your van will probably want to take it on a test drive so make sure that you allow enough time for one. Let your potential buyer choose the test drive route but accompany them on the journey as a security precaution. Remember that anyone test driving your van will need to have appropriate van insurance cover. To be on the safe side, additional driver cover can be added to your existing van insurance policy.

8. Lowest price

When it comes to making a deal on your van, negotiation will, of course, play a part. If you’re on a mission to flog your van then it might be easy to get carried away in the moment. To avoid getting fleeced and being left out of pocket, be certain of the lowest price you want to achieve and most importantly stick to it.

9. Payment method

Once the deal is done then it’s time for the buyer to show you the money. Cash is one option and if you’re using this method then it might be a good idea to get hold of a note scanner to check the banknotes are real. Another option is to ask for a bank or building society draft. This is a safe way of receiving the funds as it will only be issued if the buyer has enough money in their account. If you’re thinking about accepting a cheque then make sure it’s cleared before handing over the keys – a genuine purchaser won’t mind waiting a few days.

10. Insurance

Once you’ve sold your van then let your van insurance company:http://www.directline.com/van/welcome.htm know.

Hopefully these tips will go some way to reducing the stress and hassle involved in selling your van, and help you get the best price. Happy wheeling and dealing!

If you are buying a van in the UK, also consider van insurance; http://www.directline.com/van/welcome.htm from Direct Line.