It’s crucial to have a good idea of your vehicle’s value. If looking to sell privately, check out used van sites, local garages or ad listings to find vans that are similar to your own. Make sure to check the mileage, age and model of the vans to ensure you get the closest match to your own, which will give you the best indication of your van’s value. Of course, prices are always changing, so only use this as a guiding figure.

Selling to an online used car buyer is a much easier affair. Enter your registration number into a trusted comparison site, such as Jamjar, along with basic information about the vehicle itself, and you’ll receive up-to-date and competitive valuations for your van – all from trusted businesses that are genuinely interested in buying your van.

There are pros and cons to both options, and it often comes down to time and money. Selling your van privately will net you more money, but comes attached with all the legal steps you have to take to ensure a successful sale, along with any risks of fraud or foul play on the buyer’s part.

Selling to a used car buying business, on the other hand, is often a simpler, quicker process – they’ll handle all legal aspects, leaving you to enjoy the cash you’ve earned. Keep in mind that they’re looking to re-sell your van, so expect to earn less money for the sale.

Read more about selling privately or to a commercial buyer.

A vehicle that you owe money on cannot be sold. The outstanding debt owed on the van must be resolved with the company your contract is with before you can legally sell it to another person. We recommend contacting the finance company and asking for the settlement figure, which will help you decide what to do if you’re still serious about selling the vehicle.

Read more about the legal considerations involved in selling a van.

To make the sale easier, we recommend gathering a number of important documents together. You’ll want to have a V5C log book to prove the van is as advertised, the MOT certificate and any receipts or service history documents for work that’s been done to the vehicle. This will show that you’ve taken care of your van and have kept it in top condition during ownership – buyer impressions are everything, make it count!

Once you’ve sold your van, you’ll need to inform the DVLA of the new owner by keeping and completing section 6 of the V5C form and sending it off. This covers both you and the new buyer from any issues with the van further down the line – it’ll save them an awkward conversation with the police about why they’re driving a van they don’t legally own!

Read more about the necessary documentation you need when selling your van.