Van Or Car?

[daginge]

Hi ABers!
I may soon be giving up a company car and having to supply my own vehicle after 9 years; my question therefore, would a van be cheaper generally than a car? Including fuel (Diesel or petrol), VED and insurance? My daily commute is a roughly 70 mile round trip through mostly 60mph A road scenarios! All assistance greatly appreciated

[Buenchico]

The engine of car-derived van has no way of knowing that it's not in a car. You'll get exactly the same fuel efficiency out of it.

The tax on a car is calculated within the 'private light goods category', which is exactly the same as for a similar van.

However most insurers will refuse to give you 'social, domestic & pleasure' insurance on a van. (I know; I've tried it!). They'll only offer you 'business use ' insurance. (Adding 'business use' to my car's insurance policy, based upon my nominal occupation as a part-time, self-employed traffic planner, adds about £60 to annual my premium).

[Buenchico]

^^^ 'annual my'???

Ruddy 'ell, I've only had one gottle of gear, onesht, oshifer, hic!

[EDDIE51]

Buenchico, the gearing in a 'car derived van' is usually lower than the car version to allow it to pull a heavier load. So you will get lower fuel consumption in the van than the equivalent car.

[Buenchico]

>>>So you will get lower fuel consumption in the van than the equivalent car

When carrying a heavy load, possibly, Eddie. For 'normal' driving, as long as you keep the revs down, it's unlikely to make any difference. (If it did, car manufacturers would all be offering 'economical' models, based upon their car-derived vans).

[chas2008]

unless you have a specific use for a van it would be car all day long, as part of my job over the years i have driven both vans (small) and cars with similiar engines, cars are always more economical.
Also as said there is the insurance issue some companies just wont accept its not for business especially doing 70 miles a day.

[TWR]

It's only a small Issue but, should you need to go to the Refuse Centre you may be charged driving a van, there's a lot of good points regards a van, carrying goods for reward, moving larger objects, in some cases you can remove the panels out at the sides & replace with windows, a diesel would be my choice regards service, no damp starting problems, depending what model you buy, re-sale value.