Vans for business: how much do they cost?

There are many businesses requiring the use of a van – and there are lots of different types of van to cater for varying commercial needs

To help you work out the kind of vehicle you need for your business, here is a rough guide to the range of vans available and how much they cost when buying them new.

MICROVANS
As the name suggests, microvans are small vehicles, ideal for carrying a limited number of items that aren’t very heavy. A microvan might be suitable for a cake-making business, domestic cleaner or florist. They are relatively cheap but there isn’t a great deal of choice on the market. A good example is the DFSK Loadhopper, available for around £7,500 plus VAT.

CAR-DERIVED VANS
Car-derived vans (CDVs) are like ordinary cars from the front, but with a load area at the rear instead of seats and solid panels in place of rear-side windows. Again, they’re ideal for businesses requiring transport for small, light loads. They could be ideal for a handyman business or small deliveries. The experience of driving one is very similar to an ordinary car so they’re suitable for most environments and offer good fuel economy. The Ford Fiesta van is available from around £12,500 plus VAT.

HI-CUBE VANS
Hi-cube vans are similar in style to CDVs but are a step up in terms of size and load-bearing capability. They still offer decent manoeuvrability and are good compromise for businesses requiring more capacity than an ordinary CDV without the need to upgrade to a full-size panel van. The Fiat Doblo Cargo, for example, transports up to one tonne, with a volume capacity of three to five cubic metres. It’s available from £12,765 plus VAT.

SMALL PANEL VANS
Also known as compact panel vans, these fill the space in the market between Hi-Cubes and the larger panel vans, offering generous capacity and load carrying ability without sacrificing too much in the way of road handling or driving experience. They also offer superior fuel efficiency to their larger counterparts. The Vauxhall Vivaro provides a load volume ranging from 5.2 to 8.6 cubic metres. The interior load space is configured to transport up to three Euro-pallets. It’s available from just under £19,000.

LARGE PANEL VANS
These are the choice of businesses requiring significant capacity and load-bearing capabilities, such as delivery firms, builders and even small-scale removal companies. They come in many different shapes and sizes, with various roof heights and wheelbases available depending on your needs. The Vauxhall Movano, for example, offers a choice of four vehicle lengths and three roof heights. Prices start from just under £21,000.

PICK-UP TRUCKS
Pick-ups are ideal for outdoor businesses, such as landscape gardeners, agricultural workers and tree surgeons. They offer decent load-bearing capability, towing power and off-road ability. The Ford Ranger is a popular model, available with rear or four-wheel drive. The Regular Cab version is priced at around £18,800 including VAT.