Question 1

How much can I borrow to buy a van?

Accepted Answer

Use our finance calculator to get an estimate of how much you can borrow. Exactly how much you borrow depends on your personal circumstances and credit rating. Our finance partners, Zuto, can give you a free, no-obligation quote to help you weigh up your options

Question 2

What is APR?

Accepted Answer

APR stands for Annual Percentage Rate. It's the amount of interest you'll pay yearly on the money you've borrowed, including the various fees that apply, so that you can accurately determine and compare the overall annual cost of your agreement.

APR will be shown on personal contract purchase (PCP), hire purchase (HP) and conditional sale (CS) quotes. It does not apply to personal contract hire (PCH) van leases.

Question 3

What is mileage allowance/excess mileage?

Accepted Answer

This is a pre-agreed mileage limit imposed for the duration of the finance agreement, designed to protect the van's value. The size of your deposit, monthly payments and (if applicable) final payment will then be calculated based on this.

Question 4

Where does the finance information come from?

Accepted Answer

On some adverts on Auto Trader, the finance information is provided by the dealer selling the van or lease provider. Where a dealer doesn't advertise finance on Auto Trader, we use information and a finance example from our partner, Zuto. We do this so that no matter who is selling the van, you have the option to look at a monthly finance option.

Question 5

Are the monthly prices guaranteed?

Accepted Answer

The prices we show are not guaranteed but are indicative of what is available to the majority of customers who apply. Whether you are approved, and on what terms, is subject to your status.

Finance is available to UK residents over 18, and terms and conditions apply. If you have any questions about the finance advertised, it's best to check with the dealer or with Zuto before you apply. Similarly, check with van leasing providers as to whether you are eligible.

Question 6

How does Auto Trader make money from finance?

Accepted Answer

Dealers pay us a monthly fee to advertise their own finance offers. For adverts where we've included our partner Zuto's finance information, they pay us a commission each time a customer uses a loan approved by them to purchase a vehicle.

With our leasing offering, we get paid a commission each time a customer takes a lease agreement from one of our leasing providers.

Question 7

How do I apply for van finance through Zuto?

Accepted Answer

You can apply for van finance through Zuto using its online application form – it's simple and quick, taking only a few minutes to complete. You'll need to give Zuto the usual details, like your name and address. Zuto also needs to know your current financial situation. As a broker, it'll use this information to assess which product from its panel of lenders, including trusted names like Blue Motor Finance, is the best option for you. If there's a suitable financial product for your circumstances, and you meet the required criteria, Zuto will send you an email to say you've been pre-approved. Occasionally, Zuto may need more information from you so may send you an email or call you. If you prefer to speak to someone, you can call 01625 619944, live chat on the Zuto website, or you can send a message.

Question 8

What is the criteria to apply for van finance through Zuto?

Accepted Answer

If you are 18 years old and have a minimum of 3 years of UK address history, you can apply for finance through Zuto. That's because only those over the age of 18 are legally allowed to sign a contract for finance in the UK. And lenders won't consider people who have less than 3 years of address history, which is standard practice in the areas of finance and credit.

Question 9

What vehicles can I finance through Zuto?

Accepted Answer

You can purchase any kind of vehicle using finance through Zuto. Its panel of lenders can arrange finance for cars, motorcycles, vans, touring caravans and even taxis. However, if you have something else in mind, something more usual or specialist, it's worth giving Zuto a call to see if it can help.

Question 10

What paperwork will I need to apply for van finance with Zuto?

Accepted Answer

Applying for van finance through Zuto is easy. You just need to provide your personal details and some information about your current financial situation. You'll also need to provide proof for basic ID checks, so one or more of the following may be requested from you: driving licence – all lenders will need to see a copy of your driving licence, it's a basic ID check a selfie – some lenders also ask for a selfie. This is a basic anti-fraud measure and designed to make sure that you and the person shown in the photo on the driving licence are the same proof of address – another security measure is to ask you to provide proof of your address proof of earnings – occasionally you may be asked to provide proof of your earnings. Lenders and brokers do this so that they can carry out affordability checks For full details see What paperwork will I need to apply for bike finance?.

Question 11

Do Zuto charge any fees?

Accepted Answer

No, Zuto does not charge you anything for arranging finance.

You may be required to pay an administration fee by the dealer. And some dealers offer optional services that you can pay extra for too, such as a delivery or valeting charge. To find out if admin fees apply to you, speak to the dealer you intend to buy the van from.

Question 12

Are there any restrictions on the van I can buy with finance brokered by Zuto?

Accepted Answer

Zuto can help if you're looking to finance a used vehicle. We do not offer finance for brand new vehicles.

Some of our lending panel also set requirements on the van's age and mileage. As a general rule, you're best looking for a vehicle that is less than 10 years old and with under 100,000 miles on the clock.

If you wish to buy a van that doesn't fit these general criteria, Zuto may still be able to help, just give Zuto a call.

Question 13

If I find a van I want, do I have to pay anything to the dealer?

Accepted Answer

If you find a van you want, and you'd like the dealer to take it off sale, you'll probably have to pay a holding fee. This should be refundable once the sale is completed. However, some dealers may ask for a holding deposit or deposit, and these may not be refundable. So, it's useful to make sure you know what it is you're paying before you hand over any cash. Something else Zuto will do is check whether the van you have chosen meets the lender's criteria for full approval. This is because when you first apply for finance, you're only pre-approved. Full approval depends on your personal circumstances and the van you want to buy meeting the specific criteria of the lender. For example, some lenders will only accept a van for finance if it's under 10 years old, or if it has less than 100,000 miles on the clock. Read more in Do I have to pay any money upfront to the dealer?.

Question 14

I currently have a van with outstanding finance on it. Can I change it for a new one?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it is possible for Zuto to help you get a new van, even if you have finance left to pay on your old one. Zuto understands that there could be lots of reasons why you might need to change your vehicle before your van finance payments are complete. This is especially true if you've taken the finance over a period of five years.

So, if you'd like to explore changing your van, while you're still on finance, give Zuto a call to see what you need to do to get the ball rolling.

Question 15

Can I get van finance if I'm self-employed?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Zuto is well aware of the difficulty self-employed people can face when trying to get finance. This is often because being self-employed can negatively affect your credit score. So, Zuto has worked hard to secure lenders on its panel who are willing to accept applications from people who are self-employed.

van finance

Types of finance available

Personal contract purchase (PCP)

Hire purchase (HP)

Personal contract hire (PCH)

Still confused? Check out our van finance guides

Van Finance Explained

Applying for van finance

Your van finance options

Your questions answered

Helping you compare finance options in one place

van finance

How finance works on Autotrader

See monthly prices upfront

Types of finance available

Personal contract purchase (PCP)

Hire purchase (HP)

Personal contract hire (PCH)

Van Finance Explained

Applying for van finance

Your van finance options

addHow much can I borrow to buy a van?

addWhat is APR?

addWhat is mileage allowance/excess mileage?

addWhere does the finance information come from?

addAre the monthly prices guaranteed?

addHow does Auto Trader make money from finance?

addHow do I apply for van finance through Zuto?

addWhat is the criteria to apply for van finance through Zuto?

addWhat vehicles can I finance through Zuto?

addWhat paperwork will I need to apply for van finance with Zuto?

addDo Zuto charge any fees?

addAre there any restrictions on the van I can buy with finance brokered by Zuto?

addIf I find a van I want, do I have to pay anything to the dealer?

addI currently have a van with outstanding finance on it. Can I change it for a new one?

addCan I get van finance if I'm self-employed?

Helping you compare finance options in one place

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