If you want to sell your van for cash, you have come to the right place. At Car and Van Buyer, we provide a free, no-obligation van valuation and buy any van regardless of age, mileage or condition. Once you accept our offer, we arrange free collection and pay you the same day — no waiting, no auction fees, no tyre-kickers.
Why Selling a Van Is Different from Selling a Car
Vans lead harder lives than most cars. They spend their days loaded up, covering motorway miles, reversing into loading bays and sitting on building sites. That means the selling process is different too, and understanding those differences will help you get a fair deal.
First, higher mileage is the norm. A Transit with 150,000 miles on the clock is not unusual; the same figure on a family hatchback would put most private buyers off entirely. Second, condition varies far more widely. Some vans have ply-lining, internal racking, tow bars and sign writing. Others have been converted into campers or mobile workshops. All of this affects value, but not always in the ways sellers expect.
Private buyers for vans are harder to find than private car buyers. Most people shopping for a used van are tradespeople who know exactly what a vehicle is worth and will negotiate hard. The major classified platforms are geared towards cars, and listing a van privately often means weeks of low offers and no-shows.
Selling directly to a specialist buyer like us removes that uncertainty. We understand commercial vehicle values, we factor in trade wear fairly and we complete the sale quickly. Read more on our how it works page.
What Affects Your Van’s Value
Mileage
Commercial vehicle mileage norms are very different from car norms. A van that has covered 120,000 miles may still have plenty of working life ahead of it, provided it has been maintained. We assess mileage in context rather than applying the same benchmarks used for cars.
Condition
We look at bodywork, interior and mechanical condition. Dents, scrapes and faded paintwork are common on working vans and will not rule out a strong offer. A cargo area with scuffs and wear is expected. Mechanical condition matters more — engines, gearboxes, turbos and braking systems all factor into our valuation.
Service History and MOT Status
A full or partial service history adds value because it shows the van has been looked after. Current MOT is a positive, but we also buy vans with expired MOTs or advisory items.
Modifications and Conversions
Racking, ply-lining, beacons, tail lifts and refrigeration units can add or reduce value depending on demand. Camper van conversions are assessed individually. We buy modified vans regularly.
Age and Model Popularity
Some models hold their value better than others. The Ford Transit Custom, Volkswagen Transporter and Mercedes Sprinter tend to retain strong residuals. Less common models can still attract a competitive offer if they are mechanically sound.
Clean Air Zone Compliance
Vans that do not meet Euro 6 emission standards face daily charges in London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone and an increasing number of other cities. Non-compliant vans are losing value as businesses look to avoid those charges. Selling sooner rather than later can help you get a better price. We cover this topic in detail further down this page.
Van Types We Buy
We buy every type of light commercial vehicle. Whatever you drive for work, we will make you an offer. Visit our vehicles we buy page for the full list, or take a look at the categories below.
- Panel vans — short wheelbase (SWB), medium wheelbase (MWB) and long wheelbase (LWB) variants, including high-roof models
- Chassis cabs and tippers — single and double cab, with or without the tipper body
- Pickups — Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux, Mitsubishi L200, Nissan Navara and more
- Car-derived vans — Citroen Berlingo, Volkswagen Caddy, Renault Kangoo, Vauxhall Combo and similar small vans
- Luton and box vans — 3.5-tonne Lutons with or without tail lifts
- Minibuses and crew vans — passenger-carrying variants of popular panel vans, including window vans and kombi models
If your vehicle does not fit neatly into one of these categories, get in touch for a valuation anyway. We assess every van individually.
Popular Vans We Buy
The UK van market is dominated by a handful of well-known models. We buy all of them, in any age and condition.
- Ford Transit — the best-selling van in Britain for decades, available in dozens of body styles and engine configurations
- Ford Transit Custom — the one-tonne workhorse that regularly tops the UK sales charts
- Ford Transit Connect — a compact panel van popular with couriers and small businesses
- Mercedes Sprinter — a premium large van favoured by delivery fleets and conversion specialists
- Volkswagen Transporter — a mid-size van with a loyal following among tradespeople and camper converters alike
- Volkswagen Crafter — VW’s large panel van, sharing its platform with the MAN TGE
- Vauxhall Vivaro — a medium van now built on the same platform as the Citroen Dispatch and Peugeot Expert
- Renault Trafic — a long-running medium van with a reputation for reliability
- Citroen Relay — a large van sharing its underpinnings with the Peugeot Boxer and Fiat Ducato
- Peugeot Boxer — widely used for Luton conversions and motorhome bases
- Nissan NV200 — a compact van popular in urban fleets, also available as the fully electric e-NV200
- Toyota Proace — a medium van that benefits from Toyota’s strong reliability reputation
Do not see your van listed here? We still want to hear from you. Enter your registration for an instant valuation.
ULEZ and Clean Air Zones
London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone now covers the entire Greater London area. Any van that does not meet Euro 6 diesel or Euro 4 petrol standards faces a daily charge of up to 12.50 pounds every time it enters the zone. For tradespeople and delivery drivers working in London, that cost adds up fast.
London is not alone. Birmingham, Bristol, Bradford and Sheffield have introduced or are introducing their own clean air zones with varying charges and restrictions. If your van is affected, running costs have risen significantly, and the resale market for non-compliant vehicles is shrinking.
Selling a non-compliant van sooner rather than later makes financial sense. Each month of accumulated charges eats into the value you could recover by selling. We buy ULEZ non-compliant vans and factor compliance status into our offer fairly.
If you are unsure whether your van meets the required standard, check the V5C log book for the Euro emission class or use the TfL ULEZ vehicle checker. We can also advise you when you request your free valuation.
How to Sell Your Van to Us
We have kept the process simple. Most sellers complete the sale within 24 to 48 hours. Full details are on our how it works page.
Step 1: Get Your Free Valuation
Enter your van’s registration number on our free valuation page. We will return a no-obligation cash offer based on current market data, your van’s age, mileage and specification. There is no cost and no pressure to accept.
Step 2: Book Free Collection
Happy with the offer? Choose a collection date and time that suits you. We collect from any address in the UK — your home, your workplace or your lock-up. Collection is completely free of charge.
Step 3: Get Paid the Same Day
Our driver inspects the van on arrival, confirms the price and completes the paperwork. Payment is made the same day by bank transfer. You hand over the keys and the V5C, and we handle the rest, including notifying the DVLA.
Ready to find out what your van is worth? Get your free valuation now.
Before you sell, read our guide on 7 mistakes to avoid when selling your van. It covers the pitfalls that catch sellers out most often.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you buy vans with high mileage?
Yes. We regularly buy vans with 200,000 miles or more on the clock. High mileage is normal for commercial vehicles and we value them accordingly. Mileage alone will not prevent us from making an offer.
Do you buy vans with sign writing?
Yes. We buy vans with full or partial sign writing, vinyl wraps, company livery or branded paintwork. You do not need to remove it before selling.
Can you collect a van that does not run?
Yes. If your van has a mechanical fault, flat battery or any other issue that prevents it from being driven, we arrange appropriate transport at no extra charge.
Do you buy fleet vans?
Yes. We work with fleet operators, leasing companies and businesses of all sizes. If you have multiple vans to sell, contact us for a multi-vehicle quote and we will handle collections and paperwork for every vehicle.
Have a question that is not covered here? Get in touch through our valuation form and our team will get back to you promptly.
