Should I sell my van?

Monday, 24 November 2025

White van recently acquired by ASM Auto Recycling

Your van gets you from job to job, carries your tools and advertises your business. You may not be able to do without it. However, the time will come when you’ll need to replace and sell your van.

Light commercial vehicles are no different to cars – they too will develop common faults after they have been on the road for a while. If you find your van needs regular repairs, and has a long service history, perhaps it is time to sell and invest in a new van.

In this guide we look at the signs that you might need to sell your van or repair with replacement parts, if you should sell your van for scrap, and how to prepare your van to be sold or scrapped.

Signs that you should sell your van

1. Age & depreciation

Like any vehicle, the moment your van left the forecourt its value was depreciating. According to the motor valuers Parkers, the biggest losses, an average of £14,000-£15,000, occur during the first three years of a van’s life. So, it is not advisable to sell during this time. Manufacturer’s warranties are also likely to cover you for all or some of this period. Your van will be running at its best at this stage.

After three years the loss to the value of your van will slow and will give you the best return on your investment (if you decide to sell). Once a van is over five years old the depreciation rate will slow down even further, potentially retaining between 20%-30% of its original value, and you could run the risk of wear and tear making the van worth very little. However, you need to balance this out against the usage you will still get out of the vehicle, how well it runs and the number of repairs it needs.

2. Rising repair costs

Any van owner will have to deal with common problems as any vehicle ages, such as clutch issues, exhaust, brakes. Most issues can be fixed fairly quickly and at manageable cost. However, if more serious issues arise which aren’t as easily fixed and repairs start to add up, it might be time to consider replacing your van, as it will become more expensive to keep your van on the road than to replace it.

Signs of rising repair costs:

Major components like the engine, gearbox, or suspension need replacing.
Your van fails its MOT due to multiple issues.
Repair bills exceed the van’s resale value.

3. Your van no longer fits your needs

Over time, your van may no longer be the right fit for your lifestyle or business. Whether it’s too small, too big, or simply not practical anymore, upgrading or downsizing could be a better option. If this is the case and your van is sitting unused or no longer suits your needs, selling it now could help you get a better price before depreciation lowers its value further.

Should I sell my van for scrap

When scrapping your van makes sense

In certain cases, it makes more sense to sell your car for scrap rather than through other means of selling. For example, if your van has failed its MOT and the repair costs outweigh its value, or if your van has sustained severe damage from an accident, excessive rust, or ongoing mechanical failures, and as a result making your van unsafe to drive or too expensive to fix. It’s also important to recognise that high-mileage vans may have a limited resale appeal, so older models with little market demand might attract better offers from scrap dealers than private buyers.

How much will I get if I scrap my van?

The scrap value of your van will depend on a few factors, including the condition, make, model and year of manufacture. You can use our free online car valuation tool to get an instant preview of the total amount you could receive.

The environmental benefits of scrapping

Scrapping your van is not just about getting rid of an unwanted vehicle, it’s also an environmentally responsible choice. Modern scrapping processes allow up to 95% of a van’s materials to be recycled, reducing waste and minimising landfill impact.

At ASM, our state-of-the-art vehicle dismantling facility is designed to work in accordance with the European End-of-Life Vehicle Directive, ensuring all hazardous waste and toxins are removed from scrap vehicles and disposed of as part of the ‘green’ de-pollution process. We even ensure that metals and valuable metals can be re-used. Increasing our use of non-renewable supplies helps us provide a better environment.

Get your van ready for sale

Gather your paperwork

Before selling your van, having the right documents ready will make the sale process smoother. Buyers (whether private, trade, or scrap dealers) will expect certain paperwork in order to verify ownership and the van’s history.

Essential documents to have:

V5C Logbook
MOT Certificate
Service History
Receipts for Repairs & Parts
Finance Settlement (if applicable)

Clean and fix minor damage

Rusty wheel arches, scratches, chipped paintwork, tears to the seating; all these little things will reduce the price a private buyer is prepared to pay. Get them cleaned and fixed up, if possible, before you put your van on the market.

Remove branding

If you are considering a private sale, and it is possible to do so, remove any personal branding on your van. You don’t know where your old van is going to end up, plus you will get a better price if it is a blank canvas for its new owner.

Sell your van at ASM

ASM Auto Recycling will buy your van for scrap or assess what parts can be recycled. There are some deciding factors on what price you will get. These will be its mileage, service history and overall condition.

ASM Auto Recycling offers a hassle-free way to sell your van. We are an authorised and regulated yard with decades of experience in car and van buying. Get your instant online van valuation from us today.

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