There are many websites set up to provide new and used van sales on the net; some will contain details of both private sellers and commercial traders  , whilst others will be a website dedicated to one dealer .

The bonuses of an on-line search are that many dealerships can be looked at quickly  ; and web-pages can be saved onto a computer’s hard-drive or printed out, in order to make comparisons of all the vans you may find suitable  .

Although the internet can be  an advantage  when searching for a used van, you  should be aware of the pitfalls when  buying off the net  . It is therefore not advisable for the entire process of the used van sale to be done over the computer  . Before making a committedness to buy, the van for sale should be inspected by the buyer, and if possible by a vehicle mechanic. A meeting should be arranged between the purchaser and the vendor, where the van can be closely inspected and test-driven. The vendor should have all the necessary documents to hand, such as the Registration Certificate (V5C) to show proof of ownership, plus the van’s service history.

If buying a used van from a dealership  , the vehicle should be sold with at least 3 months warranty; enabling the purchaser to hand back the vehicle to the dealer should there be a problem with the vehicle . However, when purchasing from a private seller, there will be no such guarantee, as the vendor is only legally bound to ensure that the vehicle is fit for purpose, i.e. roadworthy.

Before making the final call  to purchase the vehicle, it is  a good idea to carry out some research to verify that the facts given by the vendor are correct. The internet is an ideal research tool , and there are many websites dedicated to helping potential buyers make the right choice. 

It is not advisable to make pay  for the vehicle on-line; and a buyer should not be persuaded to complete the transaction using companies such as Western Union or Moneygram. Be especially timid when dealing with shipping websites who use ESCROW, as there are many fraudulent on-line companies who will encourage the use of this payment method.