Buying a Used Cargo Van in Las Vegas: A Contractor's Checklist

A work van is not a car. It is a tool that has to earn its payment every week. Plumbers, electricians, cleaners, couriers and delivery drivers across Las Vegas all buy used vans for the same reason: a good one pays for itself, and a bad one eats your profit in repairs and missed jobs.

Here is what to look for, model by model and inch by inch.

Pick the right size first

• Compact vans (Ford Transit Connect, Ram ProMaster City, Nissan NV200): easy to park downtown and on the Strip, light on gas, enough for tools, cleaning gear or courier work.
• Full-size vans (Ford Transit, Ram ProMaster, Chevrolet Express, Nissan NV): shelving, ladders, materials and a full day of stops. Choose roof height by whether you need to stand up inside.
• Passenger vans: crews, shuttles and big families. Check seat condition and that every seat belt latches.

The Las Vegas heat check

Vegas summers are hard on vans: they idle, they sit in the sun, and they carry weight. On any used van, check:

• Air conditioning, front and, if fitted, rear. Run it for ten minutes on the test drive.
• Cooling system: coolant level and color, and that the temperature gauge stays steady in traffic.
• Battery age: heat kills batteries; a 3-year-old battery here is near the end.
• Tires: look for cracking on the sidewalls and check the date code, not just the tread.

More on this in buying a car that can handle Las Vegas heat.

Signs of a hard working life

• Cargo floor and walls: dents are normal; soft spots, rust-through or a floor patched with plywood over damage are not.
• Rear and side doors: open and close every one. Sagging hinges and sticky latches are common and cost money.
• Suspension: a van that sits low at the back when empty may have carried too much for too long.
• Hitch: a worn receiver says it towed. Ask what.
• Shelving and racks: a bonus if they fit your trade, but check the bolt holes they left behind.

Mileage on a van means something different

Vans often rack up highway miles on routes, which are easier on an engine than stop-and-go. A well-maintained van with high miles can be a better buy than a low-mile one that was neglected. Ask for maintenance records and look at the history report.

Paying for it if you are self-employed

Contractors and 1099 workers often get turned down because their income does not fit a pay-stub box. Bring three to six months of bank statements and, if you have them, your last tax returns. We work with lenders who consider self-employed and cash income. Financing is subject to lender approval. See what to bring to get approved.

Ask your tax preparer

Vehicles used for business can carry tax benefits. The rules depend on how you use the van, so ask your own accountant before you buy.

See the vans on our lot

We usually carry Ford Transit and Transit Connect, Ram ProMaster and ProMaster City, Chevrolet Express and Nissan NV vans. See every work van on the lot today, or call (702) 471-1549. 5015 W Sahara Ave Ste 127. Open seven days. Se habla español.

General information, not tax advice. Our dealer fees ($752.25) are listed on every vehicle; taxes, license and registration are extra.